Suspected eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy in a six‐banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus)

Abstract

AbstractThis report documents the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of a suspected eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP) in a captive 6‐year‐old female six‐banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus). Clinical findings included weight loss, relapsing chronic rhinitis despite antibiotic and antifungal treatments, and abnormal respiratory sounds. EBP was highly suspected using complete blood count, computed tomography and histopathology performed on nasal biopsies. Severe hypereosinophilia (6630 cells/μl), a marked necrotic ulcerative chronic rhinitis with encrusted microscopic vegetable fragments and a diffuse bilateral interstitial pulmonary pattern evidenced on medical imaging were the main findings on further procedures. Corticosteroid therapy along with targeted antibiotics and animal isolation in an environment with reduced allergens resulted in decreased hypereosinophilia and clinical recovery. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that EBP is suspected in another species than dogs.