Infecção verdadeira por Capillaria hepatica em cão / True infection by Capillaria hepatica in a dog

ABSTRACT

Background: Capillaria hepatica is a nematode, zoonotic, with worldwide distribution. The main hosts are rodents, nevertheless other mammals can be affected. Although the parasite has high affinity for the liver, it rarely causes a hepaticdisease in domestic animals and humans. The diagnosis is difficult and usually a biopsy is required. The treatment is difficult and is based in anti-helminthic and corticoid, but prevention is the best strategy against the disease. The aim of thepresent report is to describe a case of hepatic capillariosis in a dog approaching the clinical signs, diagnosis and therapeutic.Case A 12-year-old Brazilian Terrier bitch, with a history of visit to the farm and regular hunting of rats, frogs, birds andother wild animals, was attended with hyporexia and apathy. At the physical exam the dog presented elevation of rectaltemperature, intense jaundice and abdominal pain. In the biochemical exams was noticed a slight increase in globulins anda sharp increase in alkaline phosphatase (AP), total, direct and indirect bilirubin, suggesting a liver injury. In the ultrasonographic exam, hepatomegaly with dispersed hyperechoic areas were observed, suggesting hepatic steatosis. The patientwas treated with ursodesoxicolic acid and S-adenosil metionin for 30 consecutive days, showing a clinic improvement.Two months after the end of the treatment the animal worsened, showing jaundice, ascites, motor incoordination, weakness, difficulty in food and water ingestion and changes in the mental state. In the complete blood count was observed amacrocytic hypochromic regenerative anemia, leukocytosis with neutrophilia and monocytosis and thrombocytopenia.In biochemical exams was detected decrease in creatinine and albumin and increase in alanine aminotransferase and AP,suggesting hepatopathy by biliary obstruction. There were performed exams for leishmania and ehrlichiosis that testednegative. In the ultrasonographic exam it...