# Alveolar Echinococcosis in 11-Month-Old Dog—Clinical Case

## TL;DR

An 11-month-old dog was diagnosed with a rare liver disease caused by a parasitic infection, leading to euthanasia and confirmation through post-mortem tests.

## Contribution

This paper reports a rare clinical case of alveolar echinococcosis in a young dog, confirmed through histopathology and PCR.

## Key findings

- A large multi-lobular cystic mass was found in the dog's liver, with metastatic foci in the omentum and diaphragm.
- Histopathology and PCR confirmed the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the dog.
- The case highlights the importance of thorough diagnostic procedures in identifying rare parasitic infections in veterinary medicine.

## Abstract

In the present work, we describe the clinical–pathological case of an 11-month-old Border Collie dog, which was presented by its owner to a private veterinary clinic for the purpose of determining the diagnosis and subsequent therapy. The owner reports anamnestic data of abdominal enlargement, persistent apathy, fatigue, and vomiting. A complete examination of the patient was performed, consisting of clinical, hematological, and biochemical blood tests, X-ray, and USG examinations. Based on the findings, a probatory laparotomy was indicated, during which a large multi-lobular cystic irregular mass was detected, affecting the entire liver parenchyma, including macroscopic metastatic foci of the omentum and diaphragm. Due to the inoperable finding, the patient was humanely euthanized during the surgical procedure. Subsequently, an autopsy was performed with the collection of samples for histopathological and PCR examination of the tissue. Serological examination was also performed. The results confirmed a rare generalized form of alveococcosis (Echinococcus multilocularis) in the dog as an intermediate host.