Title
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) disease and glomerulonephritis in a black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)
Author(s)
Deem S.L., Heard D.J., LaRock R.
Published
1998
Publisher
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Abstract
A 6-yr-old, 1.36-kg, intact female black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) was presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Florida, with a history of depression, lethargy, and anorexia. Cardiac dysfunction and renal failure were diagnosed on the basis of antemortem and postmortem findings. At necropsy, heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis), glomerulonephritis, and endometritis were present. The glomerulonephritis could have been immune mediated and may have been associated with the heartworm infection or the chronic endometritis or both. Heartworm disease should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for any exotic cat housed outdoors in an endemic heartworm region that dies peracutely or has suggestive gastrointestinal or respiratory signs. Heartworm prophylaxis and annual serologic testing in exotic cats housed outdoors in heartworm endemic regions are recommended. Copyright 1998 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.
Keywords
animal; animal disease; article; Carnivora; case report; differential diagnosis; endometritis; endometrium; fatality; female; filariasis; glomerulonephritis; heart ventricle; kidney; parasitology; pathology; United States; Animals; Carnivora; Diagnosis, Differential; Dirofilariasis; Endometritis; Endometrium; Fatal Outcome; Female; Florida; Glomerulonephritis; Heart Ventricles; Kidney
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PUB12874