Caused by: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
- Often asymptomatic; serious respiratory problems usually due to deficient immunity.
- Prognosis poor.
- Post mortem examination reveals greenish nodules in lungs.
- Histopathology diferentiates these from tuberculosis.
- Infections often asymptomatic, but can cause serious respiratory problems, especially in immunocompromised cats.
Fenbendazole is licensed for treatment.
- Live in lung parenchyma and small bronchioles
- Grossly:
- Firm yellow nodules scattered throughout parenchyma, more frequently at periphery
- Microscopically:
- Eggs and larvae in the alveolar spaces cause a foreign body type reaction (surrounded by mononuclear cells and giant cells)
- Submucosal gland hypertrophy and smooth muscle hypertrophy in airway and vessel walls
- Associated clinical signs are mild although heavy infestations may -> chronic coughing
- The airway eosinophilia which may be detected can be confused with a diagnosis of asthma