ANGIOSTRONGYLUS VASORUM THE HIDDEN KILLER

All dogs of all ages and breeds are potentially at risk of infection throughout the whole year. However, younger dogs (under 2 years) are at higher risk, probably due to the behavior that leads them to swallow more often the intermediate host. Even some breeds (Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire, Labrador, Beagle, Cavalier King Charles, Jack Russell) are most likely reported to be infected for the same reason such as hunting dogs and truffles searching dog for lifestyle. Clinical forms can occur throughout the whole year but winter and spring are the seasons in which they are more frequently observed due to the length of the prepatent period. Clinical manifestations of angiostrongilosis in the dog are usually acute, but many subjects may live with infestation without apparent symptoms for a long time, and in some cases suddenly present serious clinical forms3. The most common clinical scenario is characterized by respiratory symptoms: cough, dyspnea, tachypnea, pulmonary hypertension (Cor pulmonale), tachycardia, pale mucous membranes and syncope. Pulmonary hypertension is less commonly observed and usually disappears after treatment but significant increases in pulmonary pressure values are possible and associated with poor prognosis. A. vasorum often causes coagulation disorders. Affected dogs may have petechiae or ecchymosis, but also spontaneous bleeding from the nose, hematomas, post-surgical hematomas, anemia and / or chronic thrombocytopenia3,4. Potentially fatal hemorrhages may occur in the central nervous system5. Bleeding disorders seems to be connected in most case to hyperfibrinogenolysis.