Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog in Louisiana with liver nodules diagnosed with Heterobilharzia
By Le Donne, V et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2016·Department of Pathobiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cytologic Diagnosis of Heterobilharzia americana Infection in a Liver Aspirate From a Dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old dog from Louisiana was brought to the vet because he was losing weight and had high calcium levels in his blood. An ultrasound showed that his liver had unusual changes, including several nodules. The vet performed a liver biopsy and found signs of a parasitic infection called Heterobilharzia americana, which is common in certain coastal areas. After identifying the parasite's eggs in his stool, the vet could confirm the diagnosis. Treatment details weren't specified, but addressing the infection typically involves medication to help the dog recover.
People also search for: dog weight loss high calcium · liver problems in dogs · Heterobilharzia americana treatment
Abstract
Heterobilharzia americanais a trematode of the Schistosomatidae family that infects dogs, raccoons, and other mammals as definitive hosts. This parasite is considered endemic in the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts; however, only a few cases are reported. A 7-year-old dog from Louisiana was referred for persistent hypercalcemia, hyperglobulinemia, and weight loss. Abdominal ultrasound revealed diffuse hyperechogenicity of the liver with several hyperechoic nodules of varying size. Cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates of the liver revealed few ovoid to round basophilic thin-walled eggshell fragments and rare ciliated miracidia.H. americanaeggs were identified on fecal sedimentation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26272209/