Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A case report: a dog with acute onset of Hepatozoon canis infection.
- Journal:
- Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Masato Sakuma et al.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A stray female beagle was brought to the veterinary university because she was anemic, meaning her blood had fewer red blood cells than normal. Blood tests showed several issues, including low platelet counts and high levels of certain proteins and enzymes. The vets found unusual organisms in her blood, which confirmed she had an infection caused by Hepatozoon canis, a parasite. After starting antibiotics, her symptoms improved. This case highlights that while Hepatozoon canis infections are uncommon, they can happen suddenly and require prompt attention.
Abstract
We present a clinical overview of a dog with acute onset of Hepatozoon canis infection. A stray female beagle dog of unknown age was referred to Kagoshima University showing anemia. Blood tests revealed the presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, polyclonal gammopathy, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated creatine kinase and alkaline phosphatase activities. In addition, capsule-like organisms were detected in the cytoplasm of approximately 50% of neutrophils in blood smears. H. canis infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing analyses. Amplified DNA fragments revealed 100% identity to the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of H. canis. The clinical symptoms improved after the administration of antibiotics. Hepatozoonosis in dogs is rare, but veterinarians should be alert to its possible acute onset.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/19578300