Parasitic pneumonia in a dog caused by a lung fluke of the genus Paragonimus
Van Rensburg, I.B.; Verster, A.; Hiza, M.A.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 58(4): 203-206
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 1019-9128 PMID: 3508466 Document Number: 303065
A 4-month-old Doberman Pinscher bitch was presented with listlessness in Mandini, Natal, South Africa. Examination of a peripheral blood smear revealed a moderate neutrophilia and atropine sulphate, etamiphylline camsylate and a 7-day course of cotrimoxazole were given. 16 days later the dog was presented with severe respiratory distress and subsequently died. PM examination revealed about 20 randomly distributed cystic lesions in the lungs, each harbouring 2 light-brownish conical flukes approx. 10 mm in length, which were identified as Paragonimus by histopathology. Typical pigmented operculated eggs were found embedded in the surrounding tissues. The life cycle of the parasite is briefly discussed.