Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Visceral leishmaniasis causing weight loss and blood in stool
By Sellon, R K et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·1993·Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Endemic visceral leishmaniasis in a dog from Texas.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-month-old female Basenji from Texas was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis, a serious disease caused by a parasite. The dog showed symptoms like weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and low red blood cell counts. After treatment with diminazene aceturate and ketoconazole, the dog improved significantly, with better blood test results and no signs of the parasite in her tissues. This case highlights the need for effective treatment options for leishmaniasis in dogs, especially given its potential to affect humans.
People also search for: dog weight loss Texas · Basenji bloody diarrhea · leishmaniasis treatment for dogs
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed by cytology and positive indirect immunofluorescent antibody titers to Leishmania donovani in a 7-month-old female Basenji dog from Texas. Clinical and laboratory findings included weight loss, hematochezia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and neutrophilic leukocytosis. Evidence of response to treatment with diminazene aceturate and ketoconazole included improvement in the abnormal clinical, hematologic, and biochemical findings, decreased serum globulin concentration and antibody titer to Leishmania donovani, and absence of organisms in examined tissues. Several foci of endemic leishmaniasis have been reported in the United States. Because of its zoonotic potential and the lack of approved treatments for dogs with leishmaniasis in the United States, the development of effective treatment strategies is needed.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8455178/