Thoracic radiography and oxidative stress indices in heartworm affected dogs

P K Rath,I Nath,S K Panda,B P Mishra,R C Patra

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2014.689-692

Abstract

Aim: The aim was to study the pathomorphological changes through thoracic radiography and status of oxidative stress parameters in heartworm affected dogs in Odisha. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 dogs with clinically established diagnosis of dirofilariasis by wet blood smear and modified Knott’s test and equal numbers of dogs as control were included in this study. The present study was conducted in heartworm affected dogs to see the pathomorphological changes through thoracic radiography. Similarly, the evaluation was undertaken for observing any alterations in oxidative stress status in affected as well as non-affected, but healthy control dogs by adopting standard procedure. Results: Thoracic radiography revealed cardiac enlargement, round heart appearance suggestive of right ventricular hypertrophy, tortuous pulmonary artery and darkening of lungs. Alterations in oxidative stress indices showed a significant rise of lipid peroxidase activity, non-significant rise of superoxide dismutase and a significant although reverse trend for catalase levels in affected dogs in comparison to Dirofilaria negative control but apparently healthy dogs. Conclusions: Radiographic changes, as well as alterations in oxidative stress parameters, may not be diagnostic for heartworm infection, but useful for detecting heartworm disease, assessing severity and evaluating cardiopulmonary parenchyma changes and gives a fair idea about the degree of severity of the disease. It aids as contributing factors in disease pathogenesis.

Highlights

Dirofilariasis popularly known as “heartworm disease” is a common and important disease affecting dogs, cats, foxes and wolves in tropics, sub-tropics and temperate regions of the world [1] The species, Dirofilaria immitis is the causal agent of heartworm disease in dogs [2]
Aim: The aim was to study the pathomorphological changes through thoracic radiography and status of oxidative stress parameters in heartworm affected dogs in Odisha
The present study was conducted in heartworm affected dogs to see the pathomorphological changes through thoracic radiography

Summary

Introduction

Dirofilariasis popularly known as “heartworm disease” is a common and important disease affecting dogs, cats, foxes and wolves in tropics, sub-tropics and temperate regions of the world [1] The species, Dirofilaria immitis is the causal agent of heartworm disease in dogs [2]. There is a conspicuous upsurge in the prevalence of heartworm disease in canine in India. Several factors such as global warming, uncertainty in the seasonal cycle with changes in ever increasing vector’s population, rapid and continuous animal movement between different countries play an important role in the high prevalence of this disease [5].

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