Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Antiparasitic treatment in 2 dogs with severe Chagas heart disease
By Malcolm, Elizabeth L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Antiparasitic treatment with itraconazole and amiodarone in 2 dogs with severe, symptomatic Chagas cardiomyopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs with severe heart problems caused by Chagas disease (a parasitic infection) were treated with a combination of heart medications and antiparasitic drugs, itraconazole and amiodarone. Both dogs showed symptoms like heart dysfunction and abnormal heart rhythms. Unfortunately, both dogs passed away suddenly within six months of being diagnosed. This situation emphasizes the importance of early detection of Chagas disease in dogs and the need for better treatment options.
People also search for: dog heart problems Chagas disease · symptoms of Chagas in dogs · treatment for dog heart disease
Abstract
Chagas cardiomyopathy, caused by the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is characterized by arrhythmias, myocardial damage, heart failure, and sudden death. We describe 2 dogs with severe, symptomatic Chagas cardiomyopathy characterized by myocardial dysfunction and electrocardiographic abnormalities that were managed with a combination of cardiac medications and antiparasitic treatment with itraconazole and amiodarone. Both dogs died suddenly within 6 months of diagnosis. These cases highlight the need for early detection of Chagas disease in dogs and continued research to develop effective antiparasitic treatment protocols.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35388923/