Crenosoma vulpis, the fox lungworm, in dogs
McGarry, J.W.; Martin, M.; Cheeseman, M.T.; Payne-Johnson, C.E.
Veterinary Record 137(11): 271-272
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7502467 Document Number: 448069
A 6-year-old male Staffordshire Bull Terrier from the Midlands, UK was seen in May 1994 with a chronic productive cough which was followed by swallowing. Radiography revealed right sided cardiomegaly and diffuse interstitial pattern and patchy tissue densities in the lungs especially in the diaphragmatic lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed inflammation and a moderate mucoid to mucopurulent discharge from all airways. The cytological and histological appearance of the discharge and of bronchoalveolar lavage samples suggested parasitic bronchitis and several mature and larval worms were recovered. The worms were identified as adult and larval stages of C. vulpis. The dog was successfully treated with fenbendazole (Panacur), 20 mg/kg/day orally for 14 days. The transmission of C. vulpis from foxes to dogs is discussed in relation to the urban fox and prevalence of natural infection. The affected dog came from a household with a family of foxes in the garden.