Canine angiostrongylosis in naturally infected dogs: clinical approach and monitoring of infection after treatment.
Canine angiostrongylosis is an increasingly reported disease in Europe which can be fatal if left untreated. The wide range of clinical presentation along with the absence of pathognomonic alterations can make the diagnosis challenging; thus any additional information that may provide clues to an early diagnosis may be of value, in order to ensure adequate anthelmintic treatment. Aim of the study was to assess a clinicopathological scoring system associated with natural Angiostrongylus vasorum infection diagnosed in canine patients during clinical practice, to clinically and paraclinically monitor infected dogs after treatment, and to monitor the presence of L1 larvae in faecal samples by Baermann's test. Of the total 210 enrolled animals A. vasorum infection was diagnosed in 7 dogs. These dogs were clinically and paraclinically investigated and monitored after specific treatment. Further 3 symptomatic dogs were retrospectively included in the monitoring. Results suggest that the computed scoring system can help to increase the clinical suspicion of infection particularly in asymptomatic dogs before the onset of potentially lethal lesions. Data of faecal monitoring suggested that treatment may control parasite burden but be unable to eradicate infection. Thus, a continued faecal monitoring after treatment is advisable for identification of still infected or reinfected dogs.
Department of Emergencies and Organs Transplantations, Veterinary Internal Medicine Unit, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy.
Paola
P
Paradies
Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Winterthurerstr. 266a, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
Manuela
M
Schnyder
Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Parasitology, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy.
Antonio
A
Capogna
Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Parasitology, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy.
Riccardo Paolo
RP
Lia
Department of Emergencies and Organs Transplantations, Veterinary Internal Medicine Unit, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy.
Mariateresa
M
Sasanelli
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics