<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The present report describes the first clinically manifested and serologically proven case of <italic>Dirofilaria immitis</italic> infection in a cat in Bulgaria. A 10-year-old intact male cat was referred to the Small Animal Clinic, Trakia University with a history of anorexia, weight loss, intermittent coughing and itching skin lesions on the head and neck. Physical examination revealed abnormal heart sounds and respiration, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, and generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes. Mild infestation with hard ticks and fleas was also detected during the initial skin inspection. In addition, adult <italic>Otodectes cynotis</italic> mites were observed in the skin lesions. The fecal sample was positive for larvae of <italic>Aelurostrongylus abstrusus</italic> and eggs of <italic>Toxocara cati</italic>. Blood serology revealed antigens of <italic>D. immitis</italic> as well as antibodies against both feline immunodeficiency virus and <italic>D. immitis</italic>. Thoracic radiographic findings included a pronounced generalized reticular interstitial pattern; alveolar and bronchial shades with multiple nodular thickenings throughout the lungs. Electrocardiography demonstrated a sinus tachycardia, a peaked P-wave (P-pulmonale) and an abnormally low ST-segment. The clinical signs disappeared after treatment with selamectin, doxycycline and corticosteroids. Despite the improvement in general health condition, the cat suddenly died several months later.</p></abstract>

The present report describes the first clinically manifested and serologically proven case of Dirofilaria immitis infection in a cat in Bulgaria. A 10-year-old intact male cat was referred to the Small Animal Clinic, Trakia University with a history of anorexia, weight loss, intermittent coughing and itching skin lesions on the head and neck. Physical examination revealed abnormal heart sounds and respiration, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, and generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes. Mild infestation with hard ticks and fleas was also detected during the initial skin inspection. In addition, adult Otodectes cynotis mites were observed in the skin lesions. The fecal sample was positive for larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and eggs of Toxocara cati. Blood serology revealed antigens of D. immitis as well as antibodies against both feline immunodeficiency virus and D. immitis. Thoracic radiographic findings included a pronounced generalized reticular interstitial pattern; alveolar and bronchial shades with multiple nodular thickenings throughout the lungs. Electrocardiography demonstrated a sinus tachycardia, a peaked P-wave (P-pulmonale) and an abnormally low ST-segment. The clinical signs disappeared after treatment with selamectin, doxycycline and corticosteroids. Despite the improvement in general health condition, the cat suddenly died several months later.

Clinical case of life-threatening co-infection due to <italic>Dirofilaria immitis</italic> and <italic>Aelurostrongylus abstrusus</italic> in a cat: First report of feline heartworm disease in Bulgaria

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Clinical case of life-threatening co-infection due to  and  in a cat: First report of feline heartworm disease in Bulgaria

The present report describes the first clinically manifested and serologically proven case of Dirofilaria immitis infection in a cat in Bulgaria. A 10-year-old...

Clinical case of life-threatening co-infection due to Dirofilaria immitis and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in a cat: First report of feline heartworm disease in Bulgaria

Article Category: Case Report

Published Online: Feb 10, 2021

Page range: 106 - 114

Received: May 18, 2020

Accepted: Sep 01, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2021-0005

Keywords
Feline heartworm disease, Dirofilariosis, cat, Bulgaria

© 2021 A. S. Tonev, Z. Kirkova, P. T. Iliev, A. Roussenov, T. Chaprazov, R. Roydev, N. Pirovski, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Clinical case of life-threatening co-infection due to Dirofilaria immitis and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in a cat: First report of feline heartworm disease in Bulgaria

Article Category: Case Report

Published Online: Feb 10, 2021

Page range: 106 - 114

Received: May 18, 2020

Accepted: Sep 01, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2021-0005

KeywordsFeline heartworm disease, Dirofilariosis, cat, Bulgaria

© 2021 A. S. Tonev, Z. Kirkova, P. T. Iliev, A. Roussenov, T. Chaprazov, R. Roydev, N. Pirovski, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Feline heartworm disease, Dirofilariosis, cat, Bulgaria