Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with lung collapse caused by heartworm infection
By Busch, D S & Noxon, J O·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1992·Veterinary Internal Medicine Services·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pneumothorax in a dog infected with Dirofilaria immitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog was brought in with sudden breathing problems due to a condition called pneumothorax, which is when air leaks into the space around the lungs. The cause was found to be a rupture of a lung abscess related to a heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis). Unfortunately, despite treatment efforts, the dog did not improve and was euthanized. A postmortem exam revealed significant lung damage and the presence of adult heartworms. This case highlights the importance of considering heartworm infection when diagnosing breathing issues in dogs.
People also search for: dog breathing problems heartworm · pneumothorax in dogs treatment · signs of heartworm in dogs
Abstract
Rupture of a pulmonary abscess secondary to Dirofilaria immitis infection was the cause of acute pneumothorax in a dog. The dog was euthanatized because it did not respond well to treatment for pneumothorax. Postmortem examination revealed a mass in the right middle lung lobe and adult D immitis in the pulmonary artery. Histologic examination of the lungs revealed microfilariae, suppurative inflammation, thrombi, vasculitis, and fibrosis. Clinicians should include D immitis infection in the differential diagnosis of pneumothorax.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1483909/