Ectopic heartworms as evidence in the forensic postmortem examination of a dog with a fatal gunshot wound

Forensic veterinary pathology determines the cause and manner of death of animals by analyzing physical evidence. The findings are used in courts of law to determine if the animal was a victim of acts of cruelty and whether a crime has been committed. Here, we describe the case of a 3-y-old mixed-breed dog found deceased in a fenced backyard without any prior clinical signs. The owner’s primary suspicion was death by poisoning. Grossly, the left side of the dog’s head and the right forelimb were saturated in blood. At least 2 heartworms (mature Dirofilaria immitis ) were present in the oral cavity intermixed with large amounts of clotted blood. Our forensic examination shifted from a poisoning investigation to a trauma investigation. Pre-postmortem examination radiographs revealed 2 projectiles. Postmortem examination confirmed the death by a single gunshot to the chest, a non-accidental lethal trauma injury.