Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dirofilariasis with arteriosclerosis in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1984
- Authors:
- Thurman, J D et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 20-month-old Quarter horse stallion was found to have arteriosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries, caused by adult heartworm parasites (Dirofilaria immitis). Unfortunately, this horse died due to poisoning from cantharidin, a toxic substance found in certain beetles. When examined under a microscope, the changes in the blood vessels of the lungs were similar to those seen in dogs infected with the same heartworm. The outcome was fatal, as the horse did not survive.
Abstract
Arteriosclerosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis adult parasites was diagnosed in a 20-month-old Quarter horse stallion that died from cantharidin toxicosis. Microscopically, the pulmonary vascular changes were typical of those described as "proliferative endarteritis" in D immitis-infected dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6480468/