Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with skin sores caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum infection
By Cavana, Paola et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2015·Université, France·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Nematode dermatitis due to Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old female Weimaraner was brought in for crusty skin lesions on her nose and ears, along with sore, red paws that had been bothering her for a week. After a couple of weeks, she started having trouble breathing. Tests showed that she had a rare infection caused by a type of worm called Angiostrongylus vasorum, which is unusual for dogs to present with skin problems first. The vet treated her with a medication called fenbendazole, and she showed rapid improvement, fully recovering after three months.
People also search for: dog skin lesions and breathing problems · Weimaraner respiratory distress · Angiostrongylus vasorum treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Angiostrongylus vasorum is a nematode that primarily infects Canidae. The adult parasites are found in the pulmonary arterial circulation and the right side of the heart. The most common clinical sign is respiratory dysfunction. Bleeding, neurological, ocular, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disorders are also reported. Skin lesions are very unusual. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: This report describes a nematode dermatitis due to A. vasorum infection. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of a dog infected with this parasite that initially presented with skin lesions only. ANIMAL: A 3-year-old female Weimaraner dog presented with a crusted papular dermatitis on the bridge of the nose and on the pinnae, and an erythematous pododermatitis with erosions and perionyxis of one digit of 1 week's duration. Two weeks later the dog developed respiratory distress. METHODS AND RESULTS: Skin scrapings and fungal culture were negative for parasites and dermatophytes. Histopathological examination showed dermal granulomas and pyogranulomas with eosinophils centred around parasitic elements compatible with nematode larvae. Angiostrongylus vasorum DNA was demonstrated in skin biopsies. Chest radiographs were compatible with verminous pneumonia and a Baermann test revealed A. vasorum larvae. The dog was treated orally with fenbendazole, with rapid improvement and complete cure after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Angiostrongylus vasorum should be considered in dogs presented with skin lesions and respiratory signs. Skin biopsy, chest radiographs and Baermann test should be included in the diagnostic investigation.
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/25963239/