Capillaria

Capillaria

Capilaria - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

• Similar to Trichuris, but the difference between anterior and posterior ends of the body is not so pronounced
• Some species have direct life-cycles, others use intermediate or transport hosts
• Species have different predilection sites
• Of greatest importance in birds, although species do occur in the urinary bladder and liver of cats and dogs

• Capillaria aerophila in respiratory disease of cats and dogs
  • In nasal passages, sinuses, trachea and bronchi of cats and dogs
  • Some dogs cough but often no symptoms
  • Mild catharral inflammation
  • In heavy infestation may cause obstruction of the lumen of airways and may develop into secondary bronchopneumonia