Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Portal vein and aortic blood clots in a Siberian husky
By Bressler, C et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2003·Beach Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Portal vein and aortic thromboses in a Siberian husky with ehrlichiosis and hypothyroidism.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old neutered male Siberian husky was brought in for severe liver disease, showing symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. Initial tests indicated liver issues, but further ultrasound revealed blood clots in the portal vein and aorta, along with a positive test for ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne infection. The dog was treated with doxycycline and aspirin, which successfully resolved his symptoms. This case highlights the importance of thorough examinations, as the underlying ehrlichiosis was a key factor in the dog's condition.
People also search for: Siberian husky liver disease symptoms · ehrlichiosis treatment in dogs · dog blood clots treatment
Abstract
A six-year-old, neutered male Siberian husky was presented for euthanasia for end-stage liver disease. Examination of the dog raised questions regarding the severity of the condition. It had presented to the referring veterinarian with polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss. Blood tests at that time revealed elevated liver enzymes and hypoalbuminaemia. Cirrhosis was presumptively diagnosed, based on an ultrasound examination, which showed ascites with a normal liver. The dog had a history of hypothyroidism, which was controlled with levothyroxine. Physical examination revealed cachexia. A second abdominal ultrasound examination was performed and revealed portal vein and aortic thromboses. Tick titres showed a positive Ehrlichia canis titre of 1:640. Skin biopsies showed lymphoplasmacytic vasculitis. Doxycycline and aspirin treatment was initiated, and the clinical signs resolved. The authors concluded that the thrombi were primarily caused by chronic ehrlichiosis, based on the clinical findings and the response to treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14510331/