Severe Concomitant Physaloptera sp., Dirofilaria immitis, Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Ancylostoma sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis Infection in a Cat

Abstract

Here we describe an unusual and severe mixed parasitic infection in a cat that died during routine surgery. Gastric <i>Physaloptera</i> sp., cardiac <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i>, and intestinal <i>Toxocara cati</i>, <i>Dipylidium caninum</i>, <i>Ancylostoma</i> sp. and <i>Taenia taeniaeformis</i> were observed. Histologic lesions included chronic proliferative pulmonary endarteritis, mild increase of mucosal intestinal white cells, and terminal aspiration of gastric content. The severe dirofilariasis may have contributed to this patient death during anesthesia.