Clinical and laboratory observations in 91 dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis in northern Greece.

摘要: The medical records of 91 dogs with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection were reviewed, and diagnoses established by using parasitological immunological methods. Twenty-one animals asymptomatic (stage I), 57 had mild to moderate clinical signs II), 13 the severe form disease including right congestive heart failure caval syndrome III). Thoracic radiography revealed ventricular enlargement in 38 dogs, pulmonary vascular 43, parenchymal lesions 27. Only cardiac changes correlated positively stages. D. immitis microfilaraemia was detected 75 85 dogs. Occult occurred only eight stage II two III Thirty-two treated thiacetarsamide 39 melarsomine, no differences found terms drug efficacy or complication rate; nine suffered thromboembolism one acute liver there six fatalities. 50 stages which followed up for months all recovered completely. performance 61 working completely restored, another four partially restored.