Canine visceral leishmaniasis as a differential diagnosis to tick-borne hemoparasitosis: Case report

Abstract

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) can serve as a differential diagnosis for Canine Ehrlichiosis and Canine Babesiosis, tick-borne hemoparasitosis, given the similarity of clinical manifestations and the urbanization of the CVL vector. In this case report, we point out the importance of having the region where the dog lives in its anamnesis. The treated dog came from the region of Itu-SP and presented only unilateral epistaxis as a clinical manifestation, plus non-regenerative anemia, lymphadenomegaly, and splenomegaly. The first suspicion was infection with Babesia or Ehrlichia canis. The lack of successful treatment and having information about the dog's origin led to the correct CVL diagnosis. The canine transmission has been expanding among municipalities in São Paulo macroregion, and the transmitting mosquito has been recorded in the municipality of Itu.