A retrospective study of canine patients with dermatopathies treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala in 2017 was carried out. The diseases were classified using the DAMNITIV rule, and considering the variables sex, age and breed. The prevalence of dermatopathies was 27.1% (n=305). The most frequent pathologies were neoplasms, followed by infectious and allergic agents. The greatest casuistry was represented by canines of undefined breed and in females. The average age of affected patients was 6.9 ± 0.2 years.

A retrospective study of canine patients with dermatopathies treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala in 2017 was carried out. The diseases were classified using the DAMNITIV rule, and considering the variables sex, age and breed. The prevalence of dermatopathies was 27.1% (n=305). The most frequent pathologies were neoplasms, followed by infectious and allergic agents. The greatest casuistry was represented by canines of undefined breed and in females. The average age of affected patients was 6.9 ± 0.2 years.

Heartworm disease is a parasitic infection with worldwide distribution, caused by the Dirofilaria immitis nematode and transmitted by culicid mosquitoes, with canines being the main hosts. Serologic tests provide some diagnostic help but are not conclusive. This report describes a clinical case of a canine in which the serological tests for filarial detection and the tests for the detection of microfilaraemia were inconclusive. However, the use of standardized protocols using ultrasound as part of the physical examination, evidenced the presence of cardiac filarials. The importance of reporting this case is to present a clinical protocol that includes cardiac ultrasound for an accurate diagnostic approach.