Contribution to the clinical diagnosis of canine filariasis

Abstract

A group of 25 mongrel, adult dogs, 24 males and 2 females, native from an endemic area of dirofiIariasis (Guarujá) was studied. The animals were submitted to blood analysis for microfilaremia and to radiologic, electrocardiographic and necroscopic examinations. Sixteen dogs (61,53%) showed circulating microfilariae. The necroscopic examination revealed the presence of parasites in 22 animals (84,61%); 22 (84,61%) showed radiographic alterations which may be related to dirofiIariasis and the electrocardiogram revealed abnormalities in 14 animals (53,84%). The most common radiographic alteration associated to Dirofila immitis infection was the right ventricular enlargement and the most significant electrocardiographic abnormality was the depression of the ST segment.