Heartworm and lungworm Flashcards
What is lungworm (AKA French heart worm) called?
Angiostrongylus vasorum
What is the intermediate host for lungworm (French heart worm, Angiostrongylus vasorum)?
Slugs/snails
What age of dog typically presents with lungworm/French heart worm (Angiostrongylus vasorum)?
Younger dogs
A young dog presents with chronic, unresponsive coughing, dyspnoea, ill-thrift, CHF, coagulopathy and neuro signs. What is the most likely cause?
Lungworm/French heartworm
Angiostrongylus vasorum
How big are lungworms/French heart worms (Angiostrongylus vasorum)?
Adults 2cm
Larve 0.4mm
Barber’s pole
Why does lungworm/French heart worm cause neurological signs?
Migrating larvae can cause intracranial bleeds
How is lungworm/French heart worm diagnosed?
Radiograph
Idexx antigen test
Larvae in faeces or sputum
What haematological abnormalities may you see with lungworm/French heart worm infestation? (1 WBC change, 1 protein change)
Eosinophilia
Raised beta globulins
How is lungworm/French heart worm prevented? (2 drugs)
Moxidectin
Milbemycin
(Also can use fenbendazole for treatment)
What is the cause of heart worm in dogs?
Dirofilaria immitis
How is heart worm (Dirofilaria immitis) spread?
Vector borne - Mosquitoes
Requires warm moist climate to mature in mosquitors
Dirofilaria immitis can cause cor pulmonate. What is cor pulmonale?
Impaired R ventricles of the heart
Due to respiratory disease
Dirofilaria immitis can cause caval syndrome. What is caval syndrome?
Advanced stage of heart worm where a mass of worms form in the right atrium, ventricle or vena cava
How is Dirofilaria immitis prevented?
Milbemycin
Moxidectin
Selamectin
How are adult Dirofilaria killed?
Melarsamine dihydrochloride
Adulticde
