CANINE-FELINE MEDICINE

CASE REPORT

Sanlao, Chrislyn Joy D.

March 9,2020
 Canine amebiasis in a Two-year Old Female Pomeranian Treated with
Metronidazole

ABSTRACT:

Amebiasis or amebiosis is an acute or chronic colitis, characterized by

persistent diarrhea and dysentery. It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical
areas worldwide. Several species of amebae are found in mammals, but the
only known pathogen is Entamoeba histolytica. Infection can be initiated
through the ingestion of cysts in contaminated food or water. The parasite will
then encyst in the small intestine and penetrates the large intestine to multiply
further that will lead to tissue invasion and destruction. Liver abscess may
occur in chronic cases due to the migration of the parasite via the
bloodstream. In the case of a female Pomeranian dog weighing 2.5 kilograms
presented herein had clinical signs of bloody diarrhea, inappetence lethargic,
slightly dehydrated, dry mucous membranes, listlessness and fever. The
infected dog was treated with metronidazole and oral rehydration solution and
the outcome of the prognosis is good.

INTRODUCTION:

Amebiasis is common in humans and non-human primates, sometimes seen

in dogs and cats and seldom in other mammals. Canine amebiasis is caused
by ingestion of cysts of Entamoeba histolytica from contaminated food or
water. The parasite will then encysts in the small intestine to form trophozoites
and penetrates the large intestine to multiply further. Cysts may be carried
away by the host’s stool or migrate through other organs of the
host. Entamoeba histolytica is a pathogen with variable virulence and may
produce no obvious clinical signs, or it may invade the intestinal mucosa and
produce mild to severe, ulcerative hemorrhagic colitis. In acute disease,
fulminating dysentery may develop which may be fatal, progress to chronicity
or resolve spontaneously.
In this case, clinical diagnosis is accomplished when the history of the animal
involves ingestion of tap water and the confirmation of the fecalysis.
Diagnostic tools include test kit and fecalysis to confirm the diagnosis further.
The objective in presenting this case report is to know the effectivity of
metronidazole in treating amebiasis in dogs.

CASE DESCRIPTION:

A two-year-old intact female Pomeranian dog weighing 2.5 kilograms was

consulted to the clinician due to bloody diarrhea and inappetence. The
deworming and vaccination of the dog was updated.

Upon presentation, the dog was lethargic, slightly dehydrated, with moderate
loss of skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, listlessness and fever was
observed.

The history of the dog presented had bloody diarrhea, inappetence and a
depressed behaviour two days after drinking dirty water at the backyard.

Based on the clinical presentation and history, the differential diagnoses are
canine parvoviral enteritis, canine corona virus and amebiasis.

The canine parvoviral enteritis and canine corona virus was ruled out because
of the negative result of the test kit performed by the clinician, also by the
given history of the dog, that the vaccination is updated. Then, fecalysis was
performed by the clinician, which confirms the presence of Entamoeba
histolytica cysts.

Based on the result, the definitive diagnosis was amoebiasis. The dog who
has ingested contaminated water in the area. The dog was given
Flagyl®syrup (Metronidazole) 2.5mL every 12 hours for one week and oral
rehydration solution (Ultralite plus Papi) to support the dehydration is given
every day. The prognosis is good, and the animal recovered to its normal
condition within three days.
DISCUSSION:

Amebiasis is common in tropical countries such as the Philippines. Canine

amebiasis is reported in dogs with similar clinical signs to Canine parvoviral
enteritis. The diagnosis must be confirmed by patient’s history, clinical signs
and laboratory tests. The parasite penetrates the large intestine causing
mucoidal or bloody diarrhea that may lead to dehydration. The parasite also
sheds on the stool of the host. The treatment for Entamoeba histolytica
involves using the medication metronidazole for a minimum of five days. This
is an antiprotozoal agent used in cases of parasitic infection and also aids in
the cessation of diarrhea. It inhibits nucleic acid synthesis by disrupting the
DNA of microbial cells, these happens only in anaerobic bacteria and
protozoans and has a little effect on aerobic cells. Metronidazole is primarily
metabolized in the liver, it is lipophilic and is rapidly and widely distributed
throughout the body and is eliminated through urine and feces. In dogs with
amoebiasis, metronidazole is safe and effective in accordance to its required
dosage.

CONCLUSION:

The treatment strategy and prognosis came out to be successful. On the third
day the dog’s condition became better and its dehydration has been reversed.
This proves that metronidazole is safe and effective in treating the amoebaisis
in dogs.
 APPENDIX

Appendix 1 Mucoidal, bloody diarrhea of the dog

Appendix 2 Mucoidal, bloody diarrhea of the dog

Appendix 3 Negative result of the canine corona virus and canine parvo virus
test kit

Appendix 4 Fecalysis of dog feces showing emoeba cysts

Appendix 5 Depressed condition of the dog
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