Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heartworm infection found in dog's belly during hernia surgery
By C. Sim et al.·Published in Veterinární Medicína·2013·Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA, CZ·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Description of peritoneal cavity dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) in a dog: a case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old female Maltese was found to have two heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) in her abdomen during surgery for an umbilical cord hernia. The worms were white and measured about 5 inches long for the female and 4.4 inches for the male. This unusual case highlights the potential for heartworms to cause problems outside of the heart and lungs. The dog was treated during the surgery, and the worms were removed successfully.
People also search for: dog heartworm symptoms · Maltese umbilical hernia surgery · heartworm treatment in dogs
Abstract
We describe Dirofilaria immitis occurring in the peritoneal cavity of a dog from Korea. Two worms were found in the fat of the umbrical cord area during operation for an umbrical cord hernia in a dog (four year old, female, Maltese). In gross findings, the worms were slander white and measured 132 mm (female), 111 mm (male). The tail of the male was spirally coiled. In light microscopy, the uterus was filled with not fully developed eggs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the cuticule was smooth on the head but those of the tail exhibited complex cuticular striation in the male. Head papillae were located in a cephalic plate forming a rectangular pattern dorsoventrally, with 4 inner labial papillae and four outer cephalic papillae. The mouth opening was very small and the bursal cavity was absent. Laterally there was a pair of amphids.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.17221/6702-VETMED