Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Disseminated aspergillosis causing weakness and eye issues in two
By Bruchim, Y et al.·Published in Mycoses·2006·Koret School of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Disseminated aspergillosis in two dogs in Israel.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two German shepherd dogs were brought to the vet with symptoms of weakness and loss of appetite. One dog showed signs of neurological issues and back pain, while the other had eye problems. Despite treatment, both dogs continued to worsen and were sadly euthanized. A post-mortem examination revealed a serious fungal infection called disseminated aspergillosis, affecting multiple organs including the brain, heart, and kidneys. This case highlights the importance of considering this infection in German shepherds with similar symptoms.
People also search for: German shepherd weakness · dog eye problems · disseminated aspergillosis treatment · dog neurological issues · fungal infection in dogs
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus, normally a soil or plant saprophyte, causes disseminated systemic infection, involving primarily the skeletal and the cardiopulmonary system in humans and dogs.(1, 2) We describe two cases of German shepherd dogs that were referred to Koret School of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital with a history of anorexia and weakness. Case 1 suffered from neurological deficits, paraparesis and lumbar pain whereas case 2 suffered from unilateral uveitis and exophthalmus. Both dogs were treated symptomatically, but deteriorated progressively despite therapy and were therefore euthanised. Necropsy revealed disseminated aspergillosis, and numerous organs had multiple, miliary, white-yellow foci. Microscopically, these were identified as granulomas, containing fungal hyphae. Affected tissue included brain, heart, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes and bones (case 2). Aspergillus terreus was isolated from different organs and from urine culture. We suggest that disseminated aspergillosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in German shepherd dogs presenting with ocular disease, neurological deficits, spinal column pain, urinary system disorders, and radiographic evidence of skeletal and/or respiratory pathology.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16466447/