Acute hepatozoonosis in dogs: a case report

Two male dogs aged between 2 and 3 months belonging to German Shepherd and non descript breed were brought to Outpatient unit of Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College, Bidar with history of anorexia, weakness and going down in body condition since 15 days. Clinical examination revealed fever, enlargement of popliteal and submandibular lymph nodes, pale mucous membranes and cachectic body condition in both the cases. Haemato-biochemical examination revealed anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia and elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and alanine amino transferase. On blood smear examination, gamonts of Hepatozoon canis organisms were noticed in neutrophils. Based on these observations a diagnosis of hepatozoonosis was made. Cases were treated with Doxycycline @ 10 mg/kg, PO and uneventful recovery was noticed after 21 days of treatment.