Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with bleeding and clotting problems from Angiostrongylus vasorum
By Kruse, B D et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2013·Dr. Astrid Wehner·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in a dog with Angiostrongylus vasorum infection].
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old female spayed Epagneul-Breton was brought to the vet with unusual bruising and small red spots on her skin, but she seemed otherwise healthy. After testing, the vet found she had a lungworm infection caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum, which can lead to bleeding issues. The dog was treated with a medication called fenbendazole, along with plasma transfusions and fluids, which successfully resolved her symptoms and improved her blood clotting. This case highlights that lungworm infections can cause serious problems even without obvious respiratory signs.
People also search for: dog bruising and bleeding · lungworm infection in dogs · Angiostrongylus vasorum treatment · dog skin spots · dog blood clotting issues
Abstract
A 2-year-old female spayed Epagneul-Breton dog was presented with ecchymoses, but an undisturbed general condition. Clinical examination additionally revealed petechia and a haematoma. Travel history included Italy and Denmark. Laboratory abnormalities were moderate thrombocytopenia, prolonged PT, aPTT and TT, and elevated d-dimers. Initial therapy consisted of plasma transfusions, fluids, doxycycline and famotidine administration. Babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis or anaplasmosis could not be confirmed. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable, while thoracic radiographs showed a bronchointerstitial pattern. Faecal samples collected over 3 days were positive for Angiostrongylus vasorum after examination using the Baermann lungworm test. The A. vasorum infection was successfully treated with fenbendazole, whereupon thrombocytopenia and prolonged coagulation times were resolved. In regions of low prevalence, an infection with A. vasorum should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with coagulation abnormalities. Respiratory signs can be absent with this disease. The patient may have acquired the infection abroad or in Germany.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24326880/