Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in a feline colony from central Italy: clinical features, diagnostic procedures and molecular characterization

Canine and feline cardiopulmonary parasitic nematodes in Europe: emerging and underestimated

Cardiopulmonary nematodes of dogs and cats cause parasitic diseases of central relevance in current veterinary practice. In the recent past the distribution of canine and feline heartworms and lungworms has increased in various geographical areas, including Europe. This is true especially for the metastrongyloids Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis, the filarioid Dirofilaria immitis and the trichuroid Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila). The reasons of this emergence are little known but many drivers such as global warming, changes in vector epidemiology and movements in animal populations, may be taken into account. The purpose of this article is to review the knowledge of the most important heartworm and lungworm infections of dogs and cats in Europe. In particular recent advances in epidemiology, clinical and control are described and discussed.

Efficacy and safety of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% spot-on formulation in the treatment of feline aelurostrongylosis

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the antiparasitic spot-on formulation containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate, Bayer) in the treatment of natural feline infection with the lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida). The efficacy of Advocate administered once was tested in comparison to a control oral formulation containing fenbendazole 18.75% (Panacur Intervet) administered over three consecutive days based on larvae per gramme of faeces (LPG), measured on days 28 +/- 2 following treatment and compared to counts on days -6 to -2. In total 24 cats treated either with Advocate (n = 12) or with Panacur (n = 12) were included. Mean LPG postbaseline (days 28 +/- 2) were low in both treatment groups, i.e., 0 LPG for Advocate and 1.3 LPG for Panacur. Reduction of post-baseline larval counts showed Advocate (100% reduction) to be superior in efficacy compared to the control product (99.29% reduction). No treated animals showed adverse events. This trial demonstrated that both Advocate spot-on formulation and Panacur oral paste are safe and effective in the treatment of aelurostrongylosis in cats. Future practical perspectives in feline medicine and the major advantages of the spot-on product compared to the oral paste are discussed.