Open AccessSudden death in cats as a consequence of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)
Author(s) -
Darko Marinković,
Vladimir Nešić
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
veterinarski glasnik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0771
pISSN - 0350-2457
DOI - 10.2298/vetgl0604255m
Subject(s) - dirofilaria immitis , dirofilariasis , sudden death , dirofilaria , lung , ventricle , medicine , pathology , helminths , immunology
The paper presents a case of sudden death in a cat as a result of infection with Dirofilaria immitis. Dirofilariosis in cats is rarely encountered in our country, and its incidence in the world ranges from 0.8% to 23%. As a consequence of the parasitism of adult forms, due to damage to the endothelium of the lung artery and its branches, endoarteritis occurs and thromboembolia develops, or lung fibrosis, with the frequent appearance of the phenomenon of "sudden death". Pathoanatomical examinations of the right heart ventricle and lung arteria showed 5 adult forms of cylindrical parasites, which, according to their place of parasitism and morphological appearance correspond to the finding of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). Pathohistological examinations of lung tissue sections revealed intensive edema in the lungs, that occurred as a consequence of the parasitism of adult forms of Dirofilaria immitis in the right heart ventricle and the lung artery and its branches. It was confirmed in this way that sudden death occurred as a result of the parasitism of heartworm Dirofilaria immitis.