How heartworm disease shows up on dog chest X-rays

Abstract

Radiography was a valuable aid in the diagnosis of dirofilariasis, even in moderate stages, when the lesions associated with this disease were known and recognized. Pulmonary parenchymal changes is dirofilariasis were more severe around the branches of the pulmonary arteries and, together with the arterial changes, produced a radiographic picture that was characteristic of heartworm disease. These parenchymal changes were classified into alveolar, interstitial, bronchovascular, and mixed patterns. The complexity of the pathologic changes resulted in the radiographic predominance of mixed patterns. The alveolar and mixed patterns produced dense radeiopacities that often masked the arterial detail but regressed with treatment. The interstitial pattern was less dense but usually remained in spite of treatment. Radiographs of dog lungs with dirofilariasis are necessary to initiate a treatment program, as the selection of a particular program depends on the degree of the involvement of the sdpulmonary parenchyma. Adult worms should not be destroyed while severe parenchymal changes persist. A detailed examination of survey radiographs with careful evaluation of pathologic changes involving the lungs, particularly surrounding the main pulmonary artery and its branches, can lead to a diagnosis of dirofilariasis, aid in assessment of the severity of the disease, and assist in planning a treatment program.