Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with heart fluid and thickening from Dirofilaria repens infection
By Szaluś-Jordanow, Olga et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2025·Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Constrictive-effusive pericarditis and epicarditis as a cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy associated with Dirofilaria repens infection in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet because she was getting weaker and not eating well. Tests showed fluid around her heart and abdomen, which required draining. The vet found that the fluid contained a parasite called Dirofilaria repens, which can cause serious heart issues. Despite treatments, the dog's condition worsened, leading to more fluid buildup and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, after three months of struggling, the owners chose to euthanize her. A post-mortem examination confirmed severe heart inflammation and the presence of the parasite.
People also search for: dog weakness and not eating · Dirofilaria repens in dogs · dog heart fluid treatment · dog pericarditis symptoms · dog euthanasia decision
Abstract
A 5-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog was presented to a veterinary clinic due to progressive generalised weakness and anorexia. Clinical and ultrasound examination revealed the presence of ascites and pericardial effusion. Due to cardiac tamponade, pericardiocentesis was performed, yielding 230 mL of hemorrhagic fluid. Cytological analysis of the fluid revealed the presence of microfilariae. Despite antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and supportive therapy, recurrent pericardial effusion and progressive pericardial thickening necessitated thoracoscopic partial pericardiectomy. Pleural effusion developed postoperatively, leading to dyspnea and repeated thoracocentesis. Lack of clinical improvement, along with recurrence of effusions, led the owners to elect euthanasia three months after the initial presentation. Necropsy revealed fibrinous pericarditis and epicarditis, and a single adult Dirofilaria repens in the peritoneal cavity. Histopathological examination confirmed widespread inflammation and fibrosis. D. repens DNA was identified using RT-PCR both in the pericardial fluid ante mortem and in the parasite retrieved from the peritoneal cavity during necropsy. This is the first documented case of pericarditis and epicarditis as a cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy associated with D. repens infection in a dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41088168/