INTRODUCTION – Heartworm disease is a vector borne disease transmitted through mosquitoes. It can result in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats and ferrets.
It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria Immitis. Symptoms of heartworm disease in animals may include a mild persistent cough, lethargy, decreased appetite, exercise intolerance, fatigue and weight loss. It is an emerging disease in India. It usually goes unnoticed because of its long incubation period and remains undetected due to inefficient diagnostic tools available. There is lesser understanding about this disease because of its non-native origin.
CASE DESCRIPTION – The patient needed a blood transfusion. Blood samples of 1 recipient and 3 donors were received for blood crossmatch test. (Comprehensive Blood Count) CBC test was performed for both donors and recipient.
General respiratory issues were suspected initially and other tests for heart problems, fungal infections, and sinusitis were conducted without any conclusion.
Heartworm once discovered was the primary cause of the patient’s persistent cough as it affects the oxygen supply and results in a dry cough. Now the patient is being treated for Heartworm disease and has a better chance of survival.
CONCLUSION – Awareness of non-native diseases is important. Heartworm disease is emerging in India due to the ease of trans-boundary travel of pets. It is usually not suspected in patients in our country and thus not diagnosed. It is critical to get an in-depth history of the patient. Also, it is important to have the right diagnostic tools available.
