Disseminated canine histoplasmosis: a clinical survey of 24 cases in Texas.

The clinical features of 24 cases of disseminated canine histoplasmosis are presented. The enteric form predominated and the age at presentation was from five months to ten years. The principal clinical findings were chronic diarrhea, weight loss, pyrexia and anemia.A premortem diagnosis was reached in 20 cases, by demonstrating Histoplasma capsulatum organisms in peripheral blood smears, rectal scrapings or surgical biopsies. Five of seven dogs treated with amphotericin B were released in asymptomatic condition. Four of these cases relapsed six to 15 months following therapy. The overall mortality rate was 80%.