Serum hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) was documented in two dogs with canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and seizures as the major clinical complaint. In both cases, laboratory abnormalities included mild non-regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperproteinemia with monoclonal gammopathy, and marked serum hyperviscosity. CanL was diagnosed using cytology in one case and indirect immunofluorescence assay and conventional polymerase chain reaction in the second. Specific therapy with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinolc led to short-term remission in both dogs and normalization of serum viscosity. Although dogs rarely develop HVS, it should be suspected if hyperproteinemia and monoclonal gammopathy are present. Since CanL manifests with a variety of clinical presentations, including seizures resulting from HVS-induced central nervous system hypoxia, it should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in animals with seizures as a primary presenting sign.
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March/April 2016
Case Reports|
March 01 2016
Seizures as a Consequence of Hyperviscosity Syndrome in Two Dogs Naturally Infected with Leishmania infantum
Daniela Proverbio, DVM, PhD;
Daniela Proverbio, DVM, PhD
From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Eva Spada, DVM, PhD;
Eva Spada, DVM, PhD
From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Roberta Perego, DVM, PhD;
Roberta Perego, DVM, PhD
From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Giada Bagnagatti de Giorgi, DVM, PhD
Giada Bagnagatti de Giorgi, DVM, PhD
From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2016) 52 (2): 119–123.
Citation
Daniela Proverbio, Eva Spada, Roberta Perego, Giada Bagnagatti de Giorgi; Seizures as a Consequence of Hyperviscosity Syndrome in Two Dogs Naturally Infected with Leishmania infantum. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 March 2016; 52 (2): 119–123. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6240
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