Spirocerca Lupi Induced Aortic Aneurysm and Rupture in Two German Shepherd Dogs

Authors

  • J.A. Matovelo Department of Pathology and Department Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3018, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • G.L. Mwamengele Department of Pathology and Department Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3018, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • D.M. Kambarage Department of Pathology and Department Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3018, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • M.M.A. Mtambo Department of Pathology and Department Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3018, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania

Keywords:

neutrophil infiltration, hyaline degeneration, hemothorax

Abstract

Cases of sudden deaths attributed to Spirocerca lupi induced aortic aneurysm and rupture in two German shepherd dogs are described and discussed. The dogs, one aged 12 and the other 2 years, were suspected to have died of either poisoning or snake bites. However, autopsy revealed copious hemothorax in both cases together with perforated aneurysms in the aortic walls at points about 15cm from the aortic arches. The perforation sites were about 5-l0 mm in diameter. Spirocerca lupi worms were seen in the aortic wall at the affected site as well as in the oesophageal lumen. In addition, numerous small pyogranulomas were seen in the oesophageal wall, more of them in the aged bitch than in the juvenile one. Histopathologically, lesions in the aortic wall were severe destruction and disruption of tissue elements in all layers of the aortic wall, coupled with haemorrhage, a heavy neutrophil infiltration, hyaline degeneration of the tunicae media and adventitia. Surprisingly eosinophils were only sparsely present. This report serves to provide useful adjunct to differential diagnosis of sudden deaths in dogs.

Additional Files

Published

30-12-1994

How to Cite

Matovelo, J., Mwamengele, G., Kambarage, D. and Mtambo, M. (1994) “Spirocerca Lupi Induced Aortic Aneurysm and Rupture in Two German Shepherd Dogs”, Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 14(2), pp. 33–38. Available at: https://tvj2.sua.ac.tz/vet2/index.php/TVJ/article/view/492 (Accessed: 1 May 2026).

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (1994)

Section

CASE REPORTS

License

All articles are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). You are free to use, reproduce, redistribute in any medium or format provided the original publication in this journal is cited. This License will be applicable for all articles including those published before May, 2025

 

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