DIROFILARIA-IMMITIS AND AMPHIMERUS SP INFECTION IN A CAT

A nine-year-old castrated male cat was presented for respiratory distr ess and collapse. Radiographic findings were consistent with dirofilar iasis-related thromboembolism and pneumonia. During hospitalization th e cat developed diarrhea. Amphimerus sp. eggs and Isospora felis cysts were recovered in fecal specimens. The cat was treated for these inte stinal parasites and released after 13 days of hospitalization. At rev aluation nine months later the cat appeared normal clinically. Thoraci c radiographic changes still were compatible with dirofilariasis. Mult iple fecal specimens collected were negative for parasites. The cat at that time was found to be feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positiv e. The recommendation is made to screen cats with unusual parasitic di sease for concomitant FIV infection.