Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with heartworm infection showing breathing trouble in Brazil
By S.A. Barbosa et al.·Published in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia·2023·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Dirofilaria immitis parasite infection in cats: first case reported in the Legal Amazon region, Brazil - case report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat in Brazil was diagnosed with a heartworm infection caused by the Dirofilaria immitis parasite after showing symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and pale gums. X-rays revealed an enlarged heart and changes in the lung arteries. Blood tests confirmed the presence of the heartworm larvae. Treatment for heartworm disease in cats can be challenging, and it's important for pet owners in areas where this is common to be aware of the signs and seek veterinary care promptly.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT A case of infection with Dirofilaria immitis in a cat is reported here with clinical signs of apathy, anorexia, dyspnea, polypnea, slight dehydration and pale mucus membranes. The radiographic examination showed cardiomegaly, lobar arteries dilation of the cranial lobes and tortuosity, enlargement of the caudal lobar arteries. In the right lobe of the lung parenchyma, interstitial pulmonary opacification tending to alveolar opacification was seen. The clinical signs, the movements, and the morphology of the microfilariae in the direct examination of fresh blood, peripheral blood smear and Knott’s modified test supported the diagnosis. We alert to the need for clinicians to consider feline heartworm diseases as a differential diagnosis in endemic areas when cats show respiratory signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-12771