Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with Pneumocystis pneumonia diagnosed by throat swab
By Nadeau, Julie et al.·Published in Veterinary Record Case Reports·2025·Veterinary Specialty Services Manchester Missouri USA, United States·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Pneumocystis pneumonia diagnosed by PCR performed from an oropharyngeal swab in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 16-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was brought to the vet because it was having trouble breathing, fainting, and losing weight, despite previous treatments not working. After testing, the dog was diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia, a type of lung infection. The vet treated the dog with a combination of medications, including trimethoprim-sulfonamide, prednisone, and sildenafil for related heart issues. Thankfully, the dog's symptoms improved completely, and it was eventually taken off all medications.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breathing problems · dog pneumonia treatment · puppy fainting and weight loss
Abstract
Abstract A 16‐month‐old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented to a private referral practice with a history of progressive tachypnoea, acute syncopal episode, increased respiratory effort and weight loss that failed to respond to empirical antimicrobial management and traditional antifungal therapy. The dog was diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia by polymerase chain reaction performed from an oropharyngeal swab and secondary pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed with echocardiography. Clinical signs resolved with trimethoprim‐sulfonamide, an anti‐inflammatory prednisone tapering course, and sildenafil with tapering course for pulmonary hypertension. This is the first case report documenting Pneumocystis pneumonia diagnosed via oropharyngeal swab, with complete resolution of clinical signs and eventual cessation of all medications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1002/vrc2.70020