Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pneumocystis pneumonia causing breathing trouble in miniature
By Lobetti, R G et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·1996·Department of Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pneumocystis carinii in the miniature dachshund: case report and literature review.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four miniature dachshunds were brought in for breathing problems, including rapid breathing and difficulty exercising. The dogs showed signs of a weakened immune system, and tests confirmed they had pneumonia caused by a specific organism called Pneumocystis carinii. Despite their serious condition, the dogs responded well to treatment and did not show signs of severe immune deficiency typically seen in other cases. With proper care, these dogs were able to recover from their pneumonia.
People also search for: miniature dachshund breathing problems · Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia treatment · dog immune system issues
Abstract
This article reviews Pneumocystis carinii and presents four cases in the miniature dachshund. The cases presented with hyperpnoea, tachypnoea and exercise intolerance. There were also clinical signs suggestive of immune incompetence in all the dogs. P carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in all four cases on transtracheal aspirate cytology. Immunological studies showed low globulin levels on serum electrophoresis, decreased lymphoblast transformation response (in the two cases that were tested) and a deficiency of immunoglobulins A, G and M. Light and electron microscopy as well as anti-canine immunoglobulin G immunoperoxidase staining studies were performed on one case which had died because of the disease. From these four cases, it appears that P carinii pneumonia in the miniature dachshund may be the result of an immunodeficiency. It does not, however, appear to be a classic primary severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome as the dogs appeared to respond to treatment, did not show growth failure and did not manifest overwhelming commensurate bacterial infections.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8965482/