Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Severe fever with low platelets in two pet dogs in Seoul
By Byun, Hye-Ryung et al.·Published in Veterinary research communications·2026·Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical characteristics of two companion canines with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (Bandavirus dabieense) in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog from Seoul was brought in with a high fever and severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including hemorrhagic diarrhea. Tests showed low platelet counts and signs of inflammation, along with enlarged spleen and lymph nodes. The dog was diagnosed with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne virus that can affect pets. Treatment focused on managing symptoms and supportive care, and the dog showed improvement after receiving veterinary care.
People also search for: dog fever and diarrhea · SFTSV in dogs · tick-borne illness in pets · dog with low platelets · canine gastrointestinal symptoms
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV, Bandavirus dabieense) is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic virus causing severe febrile illness with high fatality rates in humans. While ixodid ticks are the primary vectors, secondary transmission through close contact with infected companion animals has also been reported. We describe the clinical characteristics of SFTSV infection in two companion canines from Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK). Hematological analysis revealed elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, increased immature platelet fraction (IPF), leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Radiography and abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated splenomegaly, enlarged sublumbar lymph nodes, partial loss of wall layering, and colonic wall thickening; notably, one canine also developed hemorrhagic diarrhea. SFTSV RNA was detected in whole blood by nested PCR, and genotypes were identified as Sub-genotype B-1 and Genotype F. These observations indicate that canine SFTSV infection can manifest with more diverse and severe clinical features than previously recognized. Splenomegaly and colonic abnormalities may serve as useful diagnostic indicators in canine cases. This report emphasizes the importance of considering SFTSV in canines presenting with systemic inflammatory and gastrointestinal signs, and highlights the need for companion animal-based surveillance within a One Health framework. Further studies are warranted to define the full clinical spectrum and to clarify the epidemiological role of canines in SFTS transmission.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41505002/