Category:Respiratory Parasitic Infections

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 Crenosoma vulpis also infect the canine respiratory tract.

Cats: the feline lungworm is Aelurostrongylus abstrusus causing Aelurostrongylosis.

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.