A veterinary clinical case of severe chronic Haemonchus contortus infection in a goat: The clinical management of the case and pathology findings

Abstract

This case report describes the clinical management and pathology findings of a case of severe chronic Haemonchus contortus infection in a goat. An adult male Jamnapari goat weighing 40kg was presented with the primary complaint of depression and recurrent diarrhea. Physical examination findings revealed the buck was emaciated with a poor body score of 1 out of 5, dull and depressed, severe pale mucous membrane with the FAMACHA score of 5, and greenish faecal stain at the perineal region of the buck. Diagnostic and laboratory findings revealed that the buck had 3400 epg count which was significant value for Haemonchus contortus infection, PCV of 9%, blood analyses revealed anaemia and hypoalbuminemia. The case was managed medically with instituting blood transfusion, anthelmintic, antidiarrheal, iron supplement,and NSAIDs. Post-treatment progress showed the condition of the buck was not improving. The buck was euthanized and post mortem was conducted. Gross post mortem findings of this case were thickening of the wall of abomasum indicates due to severe and chronic infection by Haemonchus contortus, presence of frothy exudates at thoracic inlet, airways and lung parenchyma indicates pulmonary oedema due to hypoalbuminemia, and hepatomegaly together with loss of subcutaneous and visceral organs fat were observed in this case may due to the chronic malnutrition and Haemonchus contortus infection. Therefore the cause of death of this buck, in this case, was due to respiratory and circulatory system failure because of pulmonary oedema and hypoxia as a result of hypoalbuminemia and anaemia caused by severe Haemonchus contortus infection and malnutrition.