Capillaria aerophila: Lungworm

General Description: Slender worms, males up to 24.5mm long, females as long as 32mm.

Life Cycle: Dogs, foxes and cats are the hosts for Capillaria aerophila, which has a direct life cycle. Eggs are coughed up and swallowed and pass in faeces. Infective larvae develop in the eggs 5 to 7 weeks after leaving the host. Ingestion and digestion of eggs by cats release larvae which penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate to the lungs, where they develop into adults. The prepatent period is about 40 days. Earthworms and rodents may act as paratenic hosts.

Location: Larger airways of the lungs.

Significance: Irritation of lungs may predispose animals to pneumonia.

Effect on Host: Heavy infections cause chronic irritation of the trachea and bronchi. Breathing becomes difficult. A whistling noise may accompany breathing, and a deep, wheezing cough may be heard, especially at night. There may be nasal discharge; cats may hold their mouths open to breathe better. Infected cats become emaciated and anaemic. Secondary bacterial infection can cause pneumonia.

Diagnostic Information: Typical Capillaria-like eggs appear in the faeces.

Control: Faecal material should be removed from animal quarters. Commonly used anthelmintics are not effective. Literature reports of successful treatment with ivermectin are available.

Aelurostrongylus

Ollulanus