Crenosoma vulpis

Also known as: Fox lungworm

Crenosoma vulpis
Class	Nematoda
Super-family	Metastrongyloidea
Species	Crenosoma vulpis

Hosts

Definitive host: Dogs and foxes. Intermediate host: Slugs and snails.

Identification

The adults are thin, white worms, with many capable of growing up to 1.5cm in length. The male have well developed larvae with a large dorsal ray. The parasite is of the super-family Metastrongyloidea.

Life Cycle

The female is ovo-viviparous and immature L1 larvae are passed in the faeces. The larvae penetrate the intermediate host and the mollusc then becomes infective. The definitive host is infected through ingestion of the molluscan host.

The digestive enzymes break down the larval coat, and L3 are released. They travel to the lungs via the blood and lymphatics. They complete their development, and become adults.

The prepatent period is 3 weeks.

Crenosoma vulpis Learning Resources
Literature Search Search for recent publications via CAB Abstract (CABI log in required)	Crenosoma vulpis publications

References

Taylor, M.A, Coop, R.L., Wall,R.L. (2007) Veterinary Parasitology Blackwell Publishing

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