Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog's ear tips turned necrotic after fenbendazole treatment
By Nuttall, T J et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2005·Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thrombo-ischaemic pinnal necrosis associated with fenbendazole treatment in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-week-old female West Highland white terrier was brought to the vet with dead tissue on the tips of both ears after being treated with fenbendazole, a common dewormer. Tests showed no other health issues, but it was determined that she had a reaction to the medication. The vet surgically removed the affected ear tips, and further examination of the tissue confirmed significant damage due to blocked blood vessels. This case highlights a rare sensitivity to fenbendazole in dogs, and owners should be aware of potential reactions to this medication.
People also search for: dog ear problems after fenbendazole · West Highland white terrier medication reaction · puppy ear necrosis treatment
Abstract
An 11-week-old, female West Highland white terrier was presented with necrosis of the distal third of both pinnae. Haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis, Coombs test, antinuclear antibody and cold autoagglutinin antibody tests were normal. A drug reaction to fenbendazole was diagnosed. The necrotic ear tips were surgically removed. Histopathology revealed extensive coagulative necrosis of the epidermis and superficial to mid-dermis, a moderate interstitial neutrophilic infiltrate and complete thrombotic occlusion and necrosis of blood vessels. There was also endothelial cell activation and proliferation with endothelial cell cushions protruding into the vascular lumen. Immunohistochemistry for factor VIII-related antigen confirmed endothelial cell involvement. This case represents an unusual, drug-induced, thrombo-ischaemic necrosis of the pinnae. It is also, to the authors' knowledge, the first report of fenbendazole sensitivity in a dog. The histopathology is similar to previous cases of proliferative thrombovascular pinnal necrosis, suggesting that drug reactions should be considered in this condition.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15909448/