Lungworms in Dogs

Lungworms in Dogs

By: PetPlace Veterinarians

Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Veterinary care should include diagnostic tests and subsequent treatment recommendations.

Diagnosis In-depth

Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize lungworms and exclude other diseases. Tests may include:

  • A complete medical history and physical examination

  • Thoracic radiographs (chest X-rays) to exclude other causes of coughing. Some lungworm infections lead to characteristic or suggestive changes in the lungs.

  • Fecal examination for ova or larvae. These are not your typical intestinal worms and special methods called sedimentation techniques may be needed to find the microscopic ova (eggs) or offspring (larvae).

  • A heartworm test should be done to exclude the presence of intestinal worms because the symptoms are similar.

    Additional diagnostic tests may be recommended on an individual pet basis, including:

  • Examination of respiratory secretions for ova or larvae.
    These secretions may be obtained by a procedure called a transtracheal or endotracheal wash. Sterile fluid is flushed into the lungs using a catheter. This may be done by local anesthetic in larger dogs, or under brief anesthesia in puppies or activeHol-ee Mol-ee Extreme
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  • Bronchoscopy. A small soft flexible fiber optic tube is inserted into your pet's airway to allow examination within the windpipe and bronchial tree in this procedure. Certain parasites like Osleri osleri can be identified visually by this method. Furthermore, a number of problems not evident by X-rays may be seen, including laryngeal (voice box) diseases, polyps, foreign materials such as pieces of inhaled plant material, wood, bone, and some tumors. Samples of fluid from the lungs and bronchial tree can be examined under the microscope and fluid can be cultured for infection. This is especially useful with undiagnosed cases of cough.

  • A complete blood count (CBC) to check for signs of infection and to identify an increase in eosinophils. This cell type is often increased in parasitic infections.

  • Blood biochemistry tests should be normal in the case of lungworms. However, this test may be done if general anesthesia is planned or generalized illness is observed.

  • An echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound) to rule out heart disease

    Therapy In-depth

    The principles of therapy for lungworms include killing the parasite and reducing tissue reaction if necessary. Most treatments are done on an outpatient basis or involve a very brief hospitalization. Treatments may include:

  • Treatment of tissue inflammation with prednisone for 5 to 10 days with expected side effects of increased waterFresh Flow Pet Fountain
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  • Treatment of the parasite by killing it with an anti-parasitic drug. Some of these like fenbendazole are very safe. Others (high dose ivermectin) are more likely to cause side effects in about 5 to 10 percent of petsStain and Odor Remover
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    Drugs recommended for the different parasites include:

    Paragonimus kellicotti (dog lung fluke)

  • Fenbendazole (Panacur®) for 10 days
  • Praziquantel (Droncit) every 8 hours for 2 days
  • Albendazole every 12 hours for 10 to 20 days
  • Ivermectin two treatments, 2 weeks apart (NOT IN COLLIES or in animals of uncertain heartworm status)

    Capillaria aerophilia (the "fox lungworm" that can affect the dog)

  • Fenbendazole (Panacur) for 10 days
  • Albendazole for 10 to 20 days
  • Ivermectin one or two doses (avoid in collies or in animals of uncertain heartworm status)

    Filaroides spp

  • Fenbendazole (Panacur) for 10 days
  • Albendazole for 10 to 20 days
  • Ivermectin one or two doses (NOT IN COLLIES or in animals of uncertain heartworm status)

     
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