Heterobilharzia americana Infection and Glomerulonephritis in a Dog

Schistosomiasis is an uncommonly reported disease that usually causes weight loss, anemia, and gastrointestinal signs. A 6-year-old, neutered male dog developed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis concurrent with infection with the trematode parasite Heterobilharzia americana. At presentation, the dog had proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and anemia. Diagnosis was based upon the histopathological appearance of the kidney. Clinical signs, biochemical and hematological abnormalities, and proteinuria resolved following treatment with fenbendazole and praziquantel. Fecal examination by saline sedimentation, miracidia hatching, or Heterobilharzia polymerase chain reaction assay may be indicated when examining a dog that is presented with unexplained glomerulonephritis and is from an endemic area.