Companion Animal Lungworms

Question 1

equine lungworm

Answer 1

Dictyocaulus arnfieldi

adult worms in smaller bronchi

Question 2

equine lungworm - pathogenicity

Answer 2

Raised areas of over-inflated pulmonary tissue
Hyperplastic bronchial epithelium
Peribronchial ‘cuffing’

Question 3

equine lungworm - diagnosis

Answer 3

Clinical signs 
Grazing history (donkey contact) 
Faecal exam
Tracheobronchial washings 
Response to anthelmintic treatment

Question 4

equine lungworm - control

Answer 4

Do not keep horses on pastures grazed by donkeys
Treat donkeys with appropriate anthelmintic in spring if
grazed with horses

Question 5

canine lungworm - common species

Answer 5

Angiostrongylus vasorum

Filaroides (Oslerus) osler

Question 6

Angiostrongylus vasorum

Answer 6

Typical Metastrongyloid nematode - Indirect life cycle, Adult worms (2cm, pulmonary arteries, RHS heart)

Question 7

Angiostrongylus vasorum - clinical signs

Answer 7

Cardio-respiratory signs - Chronic coughing, exercise intolerance
Coagulopathies
Neurological signs

Question 8

Angiostrongylus vasorum - Coagulopathies

Answer 8

Subcutaneous haematomas, internal haemorrhages, prolonged bleeding from wounds
Mechanisms: thrombocytopaenia, decr clotting factors (V, VIII)

Question 9

Angiostrongylus vasorum - Neurological signs

Answer 9

Paresis, behavioural changes, ataxia, loss of vision, seizures
Mechanism: CNS haemorrhages

Question 10

Angiostrongylus vasorum - diagnosis

Answer 10

Clinical signs
Imaging
Examination of faeces and sputum for L1 larvae
Blood Hypochromic anaemia, Eosinophilia, Coagulopathy tests, ELISA-based serological tests
Post mortem exam

Question 11

Angiostrongylus vasorum - treatment

Answer 11

Moxidectin + Milbemycin
Monitor after course of treatment, repeat treat if necessary
Treatment early during life cycle minimizes pathological damage
Supportive treatment (e.g. fluid therapy, blood products, broncho-dilators, oxygen, antibiotics)

Question 12

Angiostrongylus vasorum - control

Answer 12

Regular anthelmintic treatment (risk assessment)
Control of intermediate hosts – impractical, ubiquitous
Public education

Question 13

Filaroides (Oslerus) osleri

Answer 13

dogs
atypical Metastrongyloid nematode 
Direct life cycle 
Adult worms live in tracheal nodules 
Transmission bitch to puppy during grooming

Question 14

Filaroides (Oslerus) osleri - Clinical significance

Answer 14

Asymptomatic to chronic dry debilitating cough

Associated with breeding kennels

Question 15

Filaroides (Oslerus) osleri - diagnosis

Answer 15

Difficult
Baerman technique used to recover L1 from faeces
Larvae sluggish + low nos
Few recovered from faeces + sputum
Endoscopy - View tracheal nodules + confirm diagnosis

Question 16

Filaroides (Oslerus) osleri - treatment

Answer 16

Fenbendazole

Question 17

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Answer 17

in cats
uncommon
Typical Metastrongyloid nematode
Asymptomatic to serious respiratory problems

Question 18

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus - pathogenesis + diagnosis

Answer 18

Often asymptomatic
Severe respiratory problems – immuno-compromised
cat - Poor prognosis
Faecal exam
Post mortem exam – greenish nodules in lungs - Eosinophils
Histopathology differentiates such cases from TB

Question 19

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus - treatment

Answer 19

Fenbendazole

Question 20

other resp parasites - horse

Answer 20

Parascaris equorum (migrating larvae) 
Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid cyst)

Question 21

other resp parasites - dog

Answer 21

Toxocara canis (migrating larvae) 
Toxascaris leonina (migrating larvae) 
Crenosoma vulpis (fox lungworm) 
Filaroides spp. (dog lungworm, parenchyma) 
Linguatula serrata (tongue worm) 
Pneumonyssus caninum (nasal mite)

Question 22

other resp parasites - cat

Answer 22

Toxocara cati (migrating larvae) 
Toxascaris leonina (migrating larvae) 
Linguatula serrata (tongue worm)