Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood gas changes and breathing issues in cats with Aelurostrongylus
By Yildiz, K et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2011·Department of Parasitology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Alteration in blood gases in cats naturally infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Four cats showed breathing problems and were found to have a lungworm infection caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. The veterinarian treated these cats with medication to eliminate the parasites, and blood tests revealed that they were not getting enough oxygen due to respiratory issues. Fortunately, after two months of treatment, their blood gas levels returned to normal, indicating that their breathing improved significantly. This case highlights the importance of monitoring blood gases in cats with respiratory infections to help guide treatment.
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Abstract
Four cats were presented with respiratory signs and first-stage larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were found in faecal samples. Anthelmintic treatment was given to the infected cats and venous blood gases were analysed during the treatment period. Blood gas analysis suggested hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis in infected cats. Hypoventilation may be the result of airway obstruction by adults and larvae in respiratory bronchioles and the alveolar canals. The blood gas values had returned close to the physiological range by two months after treatment. Assessment of respiratory acidosis may aid development of additional treatment methods in cats infected with A. abstrusus.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21726229/