Listen
In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Heather D.S. Walden, MS, PhD, to discuss her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Rat Lungworm in Companion Animals.” This new-to-us parasite is popping up more frequently in the Southeast region of the United States in both dogs and humans and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Dr. Walden talks through what we know, what we don’t, and what we can do.
Watch
Key Takeaways
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (ie, rat lungworm) larvae enter rats from snail/slug intermediate hosts, mature in the CNS, then end up in the pulmonary artery and right ventricle as adults.
Factors like numerous paratenic hosts, global travel of people and their pets, and more flooding events have led to worldwide spread with increased exposure of atypical definitive hosts, including dogs and humans.
Reported canine cases commonly feature young dogs with lethargy, lumbar/tail pain, hind limb weakness to paralysis, and elevated eosinophils in their CSF; human cases involve neurologic symptoms, with children also developing fevers while adults may show concurrent headache, skin sensitivity, and neck stiffness.
Diagnosis is challenging in unnatural hosts with CSF analysis being the best option.
There is no definitive consensus on treatment, but steroids appear to be important in managing inflammation from the parasitic antigens, along with concurrent use of anthelmintics (eg, fenbendazole, moxidectin, milbemycin), analgesics, and even antibiotics if there’s concern for translocation of gut bacteria from worm intestinal penetration.
Resource:
Contact:
Where To Find Us:
Website: CliniciansBrief.com/Podcasts
YouTube: Youtube.com/@clinicians_brief
Facebook: Facebook.com/CliniciansBrief
LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/showcase/CliniciansBrief/
Instagram: @Clinicians.Brief
The Team:
Alyssa Watson, DVM - Host
Alexis Ussery - Producer & Multimedia Specialist