Angiostrongylus

Question 1

What are the main clinical signs?

Answer 1

No clinical signs (7%)
Respiratory signs
• Cough (70%)
• Dyspnoea (23%)
Bleeding diathesis (16%)
• Epistaxis
• Conjunctival bleeding
• Prolonged haemorrhage at surgery
Non specific
• Lethargy (16%)
• Anorexia (14%)
• Weight loss (11%)

Question 2

What are the main haemtological anormalities seen

Answer 2

Regenerative anaemia
Eosinophilia
High Ca
High globulin
Thrombocytopaenia

Question 3

What are the main radiogaphic findings

Answer 3

Interstitial to alveolar with peripheral outline

Question 4

How useful is the angiodetect

Answer 4

+ve after 7-11 weeks post infection
85% sens
94-100% spec

Question 5

How useful is a f+ smear

Answer 5

67% sens, operator dependent

Question 6

How useful is a baermanns

Answer 6

gold standard test
Can get false -ves if Pre-PP/ intermittent shedding
Pooled samples increases chance of finding

Question 7

How useful is PCR on BAL or f+

Answer 7

Most useful when using BAL, but care if animal already dyspnoeic
Can get patients -ve on all patient side tests that are positive on this

Question 8

What are the main options for tx?

Answer 8

Fenbendazole 25-50mg/kg SID for 7-21d (some people use lower dose for longer to reduce chance of reacting when worms die
Moxidectin - 8/9 cured after one dose
Milbemycin - q7d for 4 weeks

Question 9

How can you treat some of the symptoms

Answer 9

If reacting to tx - steroids
Tranexamic acid is the tx of choice for coagulopathy
10mg/kg q8 IV, 20mg/kg PO
If none of this, plasma 20ml/kg
02 as needed

Question 10

What types of coagulopathy can be seen

Answer 10

May be normal on all tests
High PT/ aPTT
Low platelets
Hyperfibrinogenolysis
Chronic DIC