Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with heart failure and worms in heart treated by minimally
By Glaus, T et al.·Published in Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·2019·Abteilung fü·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Extraction invasive minimale de Dirofilaria immitis chez un chien souffrant d'un syndrome cave supérieur].
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3.6 kg dog was brought in with severe heart failure and breathing problems caused by a mass of heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) blocking blood flow. The veterinarian used a special catheter to remove the worms from the dog's heart, which immediately improved the dog's condition. After the procedure, the dog received additional treatment to kill any remaining heartworms, and over the next few weeks, the dog's heart function improved significantly. This case shows that quick action can save a pet's life when dealing with heartworm disease.
People also search for: dog heart failure treatment · heartworm removal in dogs · Dirofilaria immitis symptoms in dogs
Abstract
Caval syndrome due to infection with Dirofilaria (D.) immitis is a life-threatening situation, needing immediate therapeutic intervention. Severe pulmonary hypertension due to dirofilariosis was diagnosed echocardiographically in a 3.6 kg dog with heart failure and moderate hemolytic anemia. A ball of adult worms was visualized in the tricuspid valve area. Using a modified pigtail catheter, these worms were removed under fluoroscopic guidance by a transvenous approach. Already intraoperatively the hemodynamic condition improved. Subsequently, additional routine adulticide treatment was performed without complications. Over the following weeks the severe pulmonary hypertension normalized slowly but steadily. Manual extraction of adult D. immitis can be achieved with relatively simple tools and allows rapid stabilization of a critically sick patient.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31685448/