ANGIOSTRONGYLUS-VASORUM INFECTION IN 7 DOGS

Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was diagnosed in six dogs by the identification of larvae in sputum or faeces, or by the identification of adult worms post mortem. In another dog strong evidence of the condition was obtained but no parasites were identified. In four cases the main clinical signs were coughing and dyspnoea, but one dog had exercise intolerance and no history of coughing. One dog in which larvae were found in the faeces had no clinical signs that were related to the infection. Another dog had flaccid hindlimb paralysis and forelimb hypermetria - clinical signs of the disease which have not been reported previously. Four of the cases came from south Wales, one of them being the first case of the infection to be reported from this area.