TY - JOUR

T1 - Haematological and biochemical changes in dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum before and after treatment

AU - Willesen, Jakob

AU - Jensen, Asger Lundorff

AU - Kristensen, Annemarie Thuri

AU - Koch, Jørgen

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Haematological and biochemical parameters were studied prospectively in 48 dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum in a primary care setting. Samples for analysis were obtained when treatment was started and 42 days afterwards. Prior to treatment, 21% of affected dogs exhibited eosinophilia, whereas increased total white blood cell (WBC) counts and neutrophilia were observed in only 4.2%. WBC counts and concentrations of neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes decreased significantly from days 0 to 42, indicating that, even in dogs without elevated absolute blood values, a low grade inflammatory response may be present in dogs with A. vasorum infection. Biochemical changes (especially an increase in serum globulins and a decrease in serum fructosamine) were in agreement with the findings of other studies. The results show that the diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis should not be excluded based on unremarkable haematological and blood biochemical parameters. They also support our recent finding that a low serum fructosamine concentration may be associated with infection with A. vasorum.

AB - Haematological and biochemical parameters were studied prospectively in 48 dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum in a primary care setting. Samples for analysis were obtained when treatment was started and 42 days afterwards. Prior to treatment, 21% of affected dogs exhibited eosinophilia, whereas increased total white blood cell (WBC) counts and neutrophilia were observed in only 4.2%. WBC counts and concentrations of neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes decreased significantly from days 0 to 42, indicating that, even in dogs without elevated absolute blood values, a low grade inflammatory response may be present in dogs with A. vasorum infection. Biochemical changes (especially an increase in serum globulins and a decrease in serum fructosamine) were in agreement with the findings of other studies. The results show that the diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis should not be excluded based on unremarkable haematological and blood biochemical parameters. They also support our recent finding that a low serum fructosamine concentration may be associated with infection with A. vasorum.

KW - Former LIFE faculty

KW - Angiostrongylus vasorum

KW - Haematology

KW - Biochemistry

KW - Inflammation

U2 - 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.10.018

DO - 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.10.018

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 18083051

VL - 180

SP - 106

EP - 111

JO - The Veterinary Journal

JF - The Veterinary Journal

SN - 1090-0233

IS - 1

ER -