Transmission and control of Filaroides hirthi lungworm infection in dogs.

Transmission of Filaroides hirthi among cagemate pups was demonstrated to occur through the ingestion of first-stage larvae in recently passed feces. It was suggested that coprophagia is the principal mechanism of transmission of F hirthi and that transmission from brood bitches to their litters occurs by this mechanism during and after the fourth or fifth week of the nursing period. Medication of 15 infected brood bitches with two courses of albendazole at a dosage rate of 50 mg/kg of body weight twice each day for 5 days resulted in complete absence of F hirthi infection among all 21 of their progeny, whereas 16 of 19 progeny (84%) from 14 nontreated infected dams harbored F hirthi worms.     

Filaroides hirthi infection in two related dogs

Filaroides hirthi infection was diagnosed in 2 related Yorkshire Terriers. Dog 1 had a chronic nonproductive cough, but results of fecal flotation examination were negative. Dog 2 was a 1-year-old female progeny of dog 1. Both dogs came from the same kennel and were raised together for 8 weeks. Dog 2 had generalized demodicosis accompanied by secondary bacterial infection and had been treated with corticosteroids. Dog 2 also was given 68 micrograms of ivermectin, PO, and then 50 mg of fenbendazole/kg, PO, q 24 h for 14 days. After the 14-day treatment, results of 3 fecal examinations were negative for Filaroides sp and other parasites, and the dog improved without complications. Fecal examination of the other dogs in the kennel were negative for F hirthi.     

Filaroides hirthi in a British bred beagle dog

Filaroides hirthi was identified in large numbers in the lungs of a British bred beagle dog that had received 10 monthly intra-articular injections of a corticosteroid. The dog was terminally hyperpnoeic and eosinophil and reticulocyte counts were raised. At autopsy, the lungs failed to collapse and minute black and red foci were found throughout the lung parenchyma. These foci were identified histologically as parasites and focal haemorrhage. Migrating larvae were found in the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes. F hirthi has not previously been definitively identified in British dogs and the principal features of its identification and control are discussed.     

Filaroides hirthi verminous pneumonia in a West Highland white terrier bred in Ireland

A two-year-old West Highland white terrier, which had failed to thrive from six months of age, presented with acute onset dyspnoea. Radiography showed a diffuse pulmonary infiltrate throughout both lungs. Haematological abnormalities were an absolute neutrophilia and eosinophilia. Postmortem examination revealed uniform consolidation of both lungs which was defined histologically as a verminous granulomatous pneumonia. Metastrongyle larvae, isolated from the pulmonary tissue, had the morphological characteristics of Filaroides species. On the basis of the pathological changes and the larval morphology, a presumptive diagnosis of F hirthi pneumonia was made. This is believed to be the first report of disease due to this parasite in Ireland.     

Verminous pneumonia due to Filaroides hirthi in a Scottish terrier in Spain

A previously healthy Scottish terrier developed verminous pneumonia due to Filaroides hirthi. The disease was diagnosed on the basis of cytology of a transtracheal wash, which contained 17 per cent eosinophils and a large number of parasite larvae. Treatment with 50 mg/kg bodyweight fenbendazole daily for three weeks eliminated the parasites and improved the clinical condition of the dog.     

Filaroides osieri infection in the dog

The biology of F. osleri and its pathogenic effects in dogs are reviewed. The diagnosis treatment and prophylaxis of the infestation are described.     

Use of ELISA to assess lungworm infection in calves

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was applied to the detection of lungworm infections in calves. In experimentally infected animals different responses to larval and adult worm antigens were observed. The response to adult worm antigens was delayed in vaccinated animals when infection occurred by the gradual uptake of infective larvae from contaminated pasture. A serological survey in The Netherlands demonstrated a high incidence of lungworm infection in both vaccinated and unvaccinated herds. There was a good correlation between anti-adult worm and anti-larval ELISA-titres. ELISA appeared to be a useful technique for assessing the level of lungworm infection in a herd.     

Reversible pulmonary hypertension associated with lungworm infection in a young cat

Two ten-week-old kittens presented with dyspnea. Two weeks later dyspnea had worsened and both kittens had developed a heart murmur. One kitten died and necropsy showed severe granulomatous pneumonia and moderate bronchi(oli)tis and peribronchi(oli)tis caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. The results from echocardiography, thoracic radiography and the other kitten's fecal examination were interpreted as severe parasitic pneumonia caused by A. abstrusus infection with pulmonary hypertension. Repeated administration of milbemycine-oxime and praziquantel resulted in cessation of larvae shedding and resolution of clinical, radiographic and echocardiographic signs of bronchopneumonia and pulmonary hypertension.     

Clinical signs following experimental lungworm infection and natural bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection in calves

Similar clinical signs have been reported in calves infected either by Dictyocaulus viviparus or bovine respiratory syncytial virus. Three experiments were carried out to establish the clinical picture and the course of the disease in animals with these infections. The clinical signs of calves infected with lungworm included coughing, nasal discharge, tachypnoea, abdominal breathing and pyrexia, and auscultation of their lungs revealed increased bronchial sounds. Similar signs were also observed after infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus, but the signs were more acute and resolved more rapidly than in animals infected with lungworm larvae. Calves infected with lungworm had more serious clinical signs after infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus than calves, which were not infected with lungworm.