Coinfecção por hemoparasitos em cão diagnosticado com linfoma: relato de caso

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatozoonosis and ehrlichiosis are common vector diseases in Brazil due to the cosmopolitan distribution of the parasite that transmits them, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. These diseases can affect more easily immunosuppressed animals due to comorbidities. Objective: This work aimed to report a case of co-infection by Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasmataceae bacteria in a dog with lymphoma. Report of case: At the first medical appointment, the animal had a temperature of 38.5 °C,  lymphadenomegaly in the cervical region, ocular secretion and respiratory difficulty. The diagnosis of lymphoma was concluded through histopathology. Coinfection by Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasmataceae bacteria was observed throught buffy coat smear in a hematological examination performed before starting the chemotherapy. The patient was medicated with imidocarb dipropionate and referred for continuation of antineoplastic treatment by another veterinary doctor, but died after a few weeks of treatment because of the aggravation of the tumor disease. Conclusion: The present case report showed the importance of the use of blood count and buffy coat smear for diagnosis and follow-up of hemoparasitosis, in addition to emphasize the importance of performing these tests because of the immunosuppressive comorbidities.