The necropsy showed no evidence of an atrial septal defect, and a total of 25 adult heartworms were collected from the perforated paw, heart, pulmonary, and femoral arteries. The opened, ischemic wounds in the distal limbs progressively expanded and the dog subsequently died, possibly due to caval syndrome complications and septicemia.

Unfortunately, not all heartworms could be removed from these locations due to the extent of the heartworm infection.

During the surgery, adults heartworms were removed from both the heart ( n = 8) and the femoral arteries ( n = 5). Adult heartworms were detected at the right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), and pulmonary artery (PA), including the distal abdominal aorta, external iliac, and femoral arteries. On examination, the dog was emaciated and infected with heartworms, detected through a fresh blood smear, echocardiography, and transabdominal ultrasonography. Additionally, a linear, worm-like creature was penetrating out from the wound.

6Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandĪ 9-year-old spayed female boxer suffered from lameness in both hindlimbs with a perforated paw wound.

5Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

4Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

3Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

2Biomarkers in Animal Parasitology Research Group, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

1Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Piyanan Taweethavonsawat 1,2 †, Kasem Rattanapinyopituk 3 †, Kittipong Tachampa 2,4 †, Srireepong Kiertkrittikhoon 5, Wanarit Jitsamai 1, Wuthichai Klomkleaw 6, Nan Choisunirachon 5 † and Kiatpichet Komin 5 * †

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