Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Excessive bleeding during surgery linked to strongyloidiasis in a dog
By Mace, C E & Barker, E N·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2025·Small Animal Referral Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hyperfibrinolysis in a dog with strongyloidiasis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A female dog with a history of traveling from Eastern Europe experienced severe bleeding during a planned surgery to remove her ovaries, which had to be canceled. Despite normal physical exams and blood tests, special testing revealed that she had hyperfibrinolysis, a condition where the body breaks down blood clots too quickly, caused by a Strongyloides stercoralis infection (a type of parasitic worm). After being treated with ivermectin, her bleeding issue resolved. This case highlights the importance of considering rare infections like strongyloidiasis in dogs that show unusual bleeding problems.
People also search for: dog bleeding during surgery · strongyloides infection treatment · hyperfibrinolysis in dogs · dog travel health risks
Abstract
A female entire dog with a history of travel from Eastern Europe, coprophagia, and absent prophylactic treatment against parasites, developed excessive haemorrhage during elective ovariohysterectomy, resulting in abandonment of the procedure. Physical examination and abdominal ultrasound were unremarkable. Routine blood analysis was unremarkable and there was no support for angiostrongylosis or the presence of common travel-associated infectious agents. Viscoelastic testing demonstrated hyperfibrinolysis and Baermann's faecal analysis documented Strongyloides stercoralis infection. They were treated with ivermectin, with a resolution of hyperfibrinolysis. This is the first description of transient hyperfibrinolysis associated with strongyloidiasis in the dog, although hyperfibrinolysis has been described in association with other helminth infections in the dog and in other host species. Strongyloidiasis should be considered as an uncommon cause of acquired clinical hyperfibrinolysis, particularly in dogs where common differentials have been excluded.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39568332/