Veterinary Systemic Pathology Online

P-P14A - Filariasis - lung - dog

Morphologic Diagnosis:   Lung: Pneumonia, bronchointerstitial, pyogranulomatous and eosinophilic, diffuse, severe, with numerous nematode adults and larvae, breed not specified, canine.

Etiologic Diagnosis:   Filaroidial pneumonia

General Discussion:

• Superfamily Metastrongyloidea:
  • Family Filaroididae:
    • Filaroides hirthi
    • Oslerus osleri (Filaroides osleri)
  • Family Angiostrongylidea
    • Andersonstrongylus milksi (Filaroides milksi)
• These species have a wide geographic distribution but infection is fairly rare.
• Filaroides does not require an intermediate host (direct life cycle) unlike other metastrongyles.
• Respiratory parasites found in canidae, mink, and monkeys

Typical Clinical Findings:

• Some dogs are asymptomatic or may have a chronic non-productive cough which is exacerbated by exercise, excitement, or cold air