Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
French heartworm infection in dogs is spreading in North America
By Conboy, G A·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2011·Atlantic Veterinary College, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine angiostrongylosis: the French heartworm: an emerging threat in North America.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog infected with French heartworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) can show symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing, or lethargy. This parasite is primarily found in wild animals but is becoming a concern for dogs in North America, especially in Newfoundland-Labrador. Diagnosis can be tricky, as the parasite's larvae may not always show up in tests. However, treatments like moxidectin, milbemycin oxime, and fenbendazole have been effective in clearing the infection. It's important for dog owners to be aware of this emerging threat and discuss any symptoms with their veterinarian.
People also search for: dog coughing French heartworm treatment · symptoms of heartworm in dogs · how to test for Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs
Abstract
Angiostrongylus vasorum, French heartworm, is a metastrongloid parasite found in the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of wild and domestic canids and various other animals. The natural definitive hosts are species of foxes. The geographic distribution of the parasite includes various countries of Europe, Africa, South America, and North America. Angiostrongylosis is considered an emerging disease in dogs in Europe. In North America, autochthonous A. vasorum infection occurs only in the Canadian province of Newfoundland-Labrador. Computer modeling suggests there is a high probability that A. vasorum will spread to other parts of North America and will likely become endemic in the eastern half of the continent and in the states and provinces along the western coast. Animals acquire infection by the ingestion of gastropod or frog intermediate hosts that carry the infective 3rd-stage larvae. Frogs can also serve as paratenic hosts. Definitive antemortem diagnosis is by detection of L(1) in feces, sputum, or bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Baermann fecal examination is the most reliable method for fecal detection. However, false negative results can occur due to the typical erratic/sporadic fecal larval shedding pattern of A. vasorum. Recently, promising new methods for A. vasorum infection diagnosis have been reported involving polymerase chain reaction of blood and fecal samples and a sandwich ELISA for detection of circulating worm excretory/secretory antigen. Current treatment options include moxidectin, milbemycin oxime, and fenbendazole.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310537/