Lungworm

The term lungworm refers to infection of the respiratory tract by helminth parasites in any of the domestic species. The causes of lungworm are:

• Dogs
  • The term lungworm usually refers to Angiostrongylosis caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum.
  • Filaroides (Oslerus) osleri and Crenasoma vulpis also infect the canine respiratory tract.
• Cats
  • The feline lungworm is Aelurostrongylus abstrusus.
• Horses and Donkeys
  • Dictyocaulus arnfieldi causes disease in donkeys and horses.
  • The larvae of Parascaris equorum may cause respiratory signs as they migrate through the lungs, a disease called Thumps or Heaves.
• Cattle
  • Dictyocaulus viviparus causes Husk in cattle.
• Sheep
  • Dictyocaulus filaria causes a similar clinical syndrome to D. viviparus in cattle.
  • Sheep may also be affected by Protostongylus and Muellerius capillarius.
• Pigs
  • Metastrongylus species cause disease in pigs.
  • The larvae of Ascaris suum may cause signs of respiratory disease as they migrate through the lungs in heavy infestations.