Mohamed A. Hashem  , A.I.I. Badawy  , 
    Blood Cellular and Biochemical Studies on Filariasis of Dogs,
    Research Journal of Animal Sciences,
    Volume 2,Issue 5,
    2008,
    Pages 128-134,
    ISSN 1993-5269,
    rjnasci.2008.128.134,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjnasci.2008.128.134)
    Abstract: The  present  research  was  done  on 82 stray dogs to be investigated for filariasis, hematological and serum chemistry profiles of naturally infested dogs. Out of the examined dogs, 14 (17.1%) were infested with <I> Dipetalonema  reconditum</I>,  12  (85.7%)  of them were males and 2 dogs (14.3%) were females. Microfilariae appeared as a snake like with a rapidly, forward movement across the microscopic field in wet smear while in Giemsa  stained smears showed a coiled or twisted appearance. Hematological studies revealed hemolytic anemia  (macrocytic  hypochromic  type) associated with low erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value. A marked increase  in  erythrocyte sedimentation rate, reticulocyte, thrombocyte, total and differential leucocytic counts were encountered, in comparison with the control group.  Biochemical analysis of sera from infested dogs showed a significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, serum bilirubin (total and indirect), total proteins, globulins, urea nitrogen, creatinine, inorganic phosphorus, potassium and a decrease in serum glucose, albumin, calcium and sodium values, with insignificant change in the magnesium level. It could be concluded that infestation of dogs with filariasis induced a hemolytic anemia, with disturbance in the liver and kidney functions.
    Keywords: Filariasis;hematology;serum enzymes;creatinine;dogs