Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hepatozoonosis in Oklahoma dogs causes fever and muscle wasting
By Panciera, R J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·1997·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine hepatozoonosis in Oklahoma.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four dogs in Oklahoma were diagnosed with hepatozoonosis, a disease caused by a parasite that can lead to serious health issues. These dogs showed symptoms like fever, weakness, muscle wasting, and sometimes diarrhea. Unfortunately, they did not respond well to standard treatments, and the disease was confirmed through blood tests. This case highlights the need for awareness of hepatozoonosis in areas where it was not previously recognized, as it can cause significant health problems in dogs.
People also search for: dog fever weakness Oklahoma · hepatozoonosis symptoms in dogs · dog diarrhea and muscle wasting treatment
Abstract
Recognition of hepatozoonosis in four dogs that lived in Oklahoma their entire lifetimes documents expansion of the previously recognized endemic area of the disease. Salient clinical features are fever, marked neutrophilic leukocytosis, periosteal new bone proliferation, myalgia, weakness, muscle and generalized wasting, and lack of response to treatment. Transient, large-bowel diarrhea may be observed. Each of the four cases had signs compatible with chronic, persistent inflammatory disease that were poorly and ultimately nonresponsive to antimicrobial treatment. Diagnosis was confirmed in one case by recognition of Hepatozoon gamonts in peripheral blood leukocytes. Encysted forms of the organism were present in skeletal muscle and other tissues of each case.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9138232/