Dirofilaria immitis en un canino Boston Terrier con regurgitación arterial pulmonar asociada.

Abstract

Case report of a male canine of Boston terrier breed with 10 years of age that, in the consultation, its owners affirmed that it presented episodes of dyspnea occasionally and presented cough a week ago, the clinical examination showed positive tusigenic reflex and pulmonary (bilateral) rales were auscultated. Blood count was performed with result in the reference values and in the blood spread the presence of a structure possibly compatible with microfilaria of Dirofilaria immitis was identified, additionally proceeded to perform test of thick drop, in which mobility of structures compatible with microfilariae of D. immitis was detailed, ELISA test was also performed, SNAP 4DX® (IDEXX) testing positive for D. immitis antigen. An echocardiogram was performed in addition, observing the presence of hyperechogenic structures in the lumen of the right branch of the pulmonary artery, compatible with adult parasites of D. immitis and it was possible to determine mild pulmonary arterial hypertension and with color Doppler in the echocardiogram slight reflux in the arterial pulmonary valve was evident. Chest x-ray was performed in which subjectively enlarged cardiac silhouette and interstitial pulmonary pattern suggestive of pneumonia that can be related secondary to D. immitis were observed. Canine heartworm disease is a pathology present on the Atlantic coast and has few reports, so veterinarians must work on its prevention, diagnosis and management.