Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Can heartworm infection cause internal bleeding in dogs
By Alonso, Flavio H et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2024·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Can nematode infection cause internal bleeding in dogs? A case of Dirofilaria immitis infection in cavitary fluids.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old dog was brought in because he was losing weight, having trouble breathing, and had a swollen belly. Tests and surgery revealed masses in his lungs and spleen, along with bleeding in his abdomen. Further analysis showed he was infected with Dirofilaria immitis, a type of heartworm, which may have caused the internal bleeding. The vet treated the infection, and while the exact cause of the masses is unclear, the dog received care for the heartworm and was monitored closely.
People also search for: dog weight loss and breathing problems · heartworm infection symptoms in dogs · dog abdominal swelling treatment
Abstract
A 9-year-old dog was presented with weight loss, respiratory effort, and an enlarged abdomen. Imaging studies and exploratory surgery showed pulmonary and splenic masses and bi-cavitary effusion, later classified as hemorrhage. Cytology of the peritoneal and pleural fluids also revealed several microfilariae. Immunologic and molecular analyses confirmed Dirofilaria immitis infection and histopathology of the spleen indicated a cavernous endothelial proliferation with undefined etiology (hemangiosarcoma vs reaction to parasite infestation). The nematode larvae are speculated to have entered body cavities via erratic migration or via hemorrhage and visceral lesions to be related to parasitism. Nematode infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis for internal bleeding of undetermined origin.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38684482/