Lungworm infection is a potentially life-threatening parasitic infection in the canine species. Most common clinical presentation is respiratory distress and coughing; neurological manifestations and DIC have also been reported.

The aim of this study is to report the clinical and laboratory alterations in 37 dogs diagnosed with lungworm infection.

The mean age was 46.7 months (2–156 months); 24 dogs were male (21 intact; 3 neutered) and 13 dogs were female (6 intact; 7 spayed). Seven dogs were mixed-breed; the others belonged to different breeds. Fifteen dogs had a history of risk exposure.

Main duration of clinical signs was 11.4 days (1–60 days) with coughing (23 dogs) and dyspnea (16) the main symptoms. Five dogs had acute occurrence of neurological sign and one dog developed neurological signs few days after diagnosis. Thoracic radiographs were characterized by a mild (4) to diffuse moderate (8) or severe (25) mixed alveolar-bronchial-interstitial pattern.

CBC-count was performed in 33 dogs and showed anemia (15/33), leukocytosis (16/33), neutrophilia (15/33), eosinophilia (16/33), monocytosis (12/33), basophilia (5/33), lymphocytosis (3/33) and low PLT count (14/33). Biochemistry was performed in 29 dogs and showed increase in total protein count (13/29), globulin count (16/29), CPK (17/29), amylase (14/29), C-reactive protein (22/29), phosphorus (11/29) and urea (9/29). Protein serum electrophoresis was available in 14 dogs and showed increased in the β1 fraction and in the β2 fraction in 11 and 13 dogs respectively. Urinalysis was available in four dogs and PU/CU was increased in two dogs. Coagulative profile was performed in 17 dogs and was suggestive of DIC in 13 dogs, eleven of these dogs had a mean hematocrit of 24% (17.1–30.1%)

Twenty dogs were positive on fecal examination and two were negative; one of these dogs was positive for Angiostrongylus vasorum (IDEXX Angio-detect-test). Twenty-two dogs were positive on the IDEXX Angio-detect-text and one was negative but positive on fecal examination but lungworm typing was not submitted. One dog was diagnosed on BAL. Three dogs were diagnosed post mortem, two had A. vasorum infection and the other dog had a mixed infestation with A. vasorum and Filaroides osleri. Overall seven dogs died; the others recovered.

Lungworm infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of dog presenting with respiratory disease and acute onset of neurological signs. Though hematological alteration are non-specific, presence of DIC, increase globulin count with increase in the β fraction should aware the clinician of a possible undergoing lungworm infection.

Disclosures

No disclosures to report.