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Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a feline lungworm. Adult worms, measuring approximately 0.5–1.5 cm, reside in the bronchioles and alveoli of domestic cats and wild felids. They lay eggs within the alveoli and terminal bronchioles, where the larvae hatch, migrate to the pharynx through coughing, are swallowed, and are subsequently excreted in the faeces.
Snails and slugs act as intermediate hosts, supporting development to the infective L3 stage. A wide range of transport hosts – including rodents, birds, amphibians and reptiles – play an important epidemiological role. Cats become infected by ingesting either the intermediate or transport host, after which the L3 larvae migrate to the lungs via the lymphatic system and bloodstream.
Egg and larval shedding typically persists for 5–6 months. After this period, the infection becomes self-limiting, and the cat develops immunity against further L3 infections. Consequently, A. abstrusus is seen most frequently in young animals or immunocompromised cats.
Clinical presentation varies widely. Lungworm infections may be asymptomatic, and larvae are often detected incidentally during routine faecal examinations. However, mild to severe respiratory signs can occur, including coughing, nasal discharge, tachypnoea and dyspnoea. Young cats are more commonly affected and tend to experience more severe disease.
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