Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How Mini-FLOTAC detects lungworm larvae in dogs and cats
By Ianniello, Davide et al.·Published in Acta parasitologica·2020·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Why Use the Mini-FLOTAC to Detect Metastrongyloid Larvae in Dogs and Cats?
Plain-English summary
Ten dogs and ten cats with respiratory issues were tested for lungworm infections using a new method called Mini-FLOTAC, which detects larvae in their feces. This method was found to be more effective than traditional tests, especially for certain types of lungworms. The Mini-FLOTAC provided quicker results and showed a higher number of larvae detected compared to the older Baermann technique. This means that using Mini-FLOTAC could help veterinarians diagnose lungworm infections more efficiently in pets.
People also search for: dog lungworm symptoms · cat respiratory issues · Mini-FLOTAC lungworm test · how to treat lungworm in dogs · lungworm detection in cats
Abstract
PURPOSE: Canine and feline cardiopulmonary disease is an emergent condition in several European countries, particularly in non-endemic regions, although it is often underestimated because of the limitations of the common diagnostic techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Mini-FLOTAC to detect cardiopulmonary larvae from dogs and cats compared to reference techniques such as Baermann and FLOTAC. METHODS: A total of 20 fresh faecal samples were collected from ten dogs and ten cats naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum, and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus spp., respectively. Three replicates were performed for each technique. FS3 (zinc sulfate, specific gravity = 1.200) was used as flotation solution for Mini-FLOTAC and FLOTAC. The results were expressed as the arithmetic mean of LPG (larvae per gram of faeces). RESULTS: The mean LPG calculated by means of Mini-FLOTAC was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that obtained through the Baermann technique for A. vasorum, A. abstrusus and Troglostrongylus spp., whereas it was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that obtained through the FLOTAC technique only for A. vasorum and A. abstrusus. CONCLUSIONS: Mini-FLOTAC can be considered a valid alternative for the detection of metastrongyloid larvae of dogs and cats, overcoming the limitation of time required by the Baermann test.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31970621/