Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eye and lung Pneumocystis infection in two sibling Chihuahuas
By Johnson, Lynelle R et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Oculosystemic pneumocystosis in 2 sibling Chihuahuas.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A pair of sibling Chihuahuas, a male and a female, were brought to the vet due to breathing problems that had lasted for nine months. Despite trying several medications, including antibiotics and steroids, their symptoms persisted. The vet found signs of lung issues and eye problems, leading to further tests that revealed a rare infection caused by Pneumocystis. The female dog improved with a specific antibiotic treatment, but unfortunately, the male dog had to be euthanized due to liver failure likely caused by the medications.
People also search for: Chihuahua breathing problems · Pneumocystis infection in dogs · dog eye problems treatment
Abstract
Sibling female and male Chihuahuas were evaluated for a 9-month history of tachypnea that failed to respond to fenbendazole, doxycycline, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and prednisone. Physical examination identified tachypnea, hyperpnea, and harsh bronchovesicular lung sounds. Fundic examination disclosed diffuse chorioretinitis, manifested as multifocal chorioretinal granulomas in the female dog and occasional chorioretinal scars in the male dog. Thoracic radiographs indicated moderate to severe interstitial to broncho-interstitial infiltrates in both dogs. Serum and urine antigen and antibody testing in the female dog failed to identify infectious agents, but cytologic assessment of hepatic lymph node, liver, and splenic aspirates identified Pneumocystis trophozoites. Infection was confirmed in both dogs by 28S rRNA PCR sequencing from multiple tissue samples. The female dog responded well to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but the male dog was euthanized because of liver failure, presumably related to antimicrobial treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37134072/