A case of canine ectopic parasitism of heartworm in the systemic circulation

Abstract

A 3-year-old intact female Dachshund was referred due to paraplegia and cool extremities. History taking, physical examination, neurological examination, and blood profiling studies were evaluated to determine the diagnosis. Based on abdominal ultrasound and echocardiograph, features suggestive of adult heartworm were detected in aberrant places. The result of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing with a commercial heartworm antigen kit was positive. The dog fell into a comatose state, and the client requested the dog be euthanized. On post-mortem examination, the patient was diagnosed with ectopic parasitism of heartworm in the left side of heart, aorta, aorta abdominalis, and iliac arteries, a circumstance that induced systemic thromboembolism. This case report describes the clinical, diagnostic imaging, and necropsy findings of canine ectopic parasitism of heartworm. ? 2015 Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics. All rights reserved.