About Feline Lung Worms
Symptoms and Treatment

Feline lung worms are parasites classified as nematodes or roundworms. These worms can cause lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and bronchitis in cats.

types of lungworms

Aelurostrongylus Abstrusus - this is a thin, cylindrical worm which is about 9 - 14 mm long

Capillaria Aerophila - generally called a lung worm, but not considered a true lung worm

life cycle of the feline lung worm

The adult female cat lung worm lays eggs in the lung tissue and alveoli. Here the eggs hatch into larvae.

The larvae then make their way up the respiratory passages. The feline lung worm will form nodules in the trachea (normally where it branches into the bronchi). The cat will cough up the larvae and then swallow the larvae and later pass them out in their stool into the environment.

Intermediate hosts like snails or slugs will eat the larvae. The larvae does not develop any further and remain in this host until eaten.

Cats generally do not eat slugs or snails. Rodents, reptiles and birds do eat snails and slugs. When a cat consumes a 'transport host', like a rodent or bird, it can ingest the lung worm larvae.

When free-roaming cats eat birds, rodents or reptiles, the larvae will once again be released into the cat's intestines.

The larvae will travel to the cat's lungs via the bloodstream or via the thoracic and peritoneal cavity.

The cycle begins again.

cat worm symptoms

The signs and symptoms of feline lung worm infection varies and is also dependent on the severity of the worm infestation.

Very often, the infection may go unnoticed, meaning there are no signs and the cat will be asymptomatic
moderate or persistent coughing
labored or difficulty breathing
wheezing
respiratory distress and or respiratory failure

In some cases, the cat may have a sudden, violent coughing attack which the pet owner may mistake for their cat having something stuck in its throat.

Sadly, kittens are the most vulnerable and a severe infestation of lung worms can result in the death of the kitten.

veterinary diagnosis of lungworms

The veterinarian will take a full history from the cat owner.

The coughing will be treated with an antibiotic. If the coughing does not subside after treatment, the vet will may conduct some of the following tests:

The cat's feces will be examined under a microscope to identify any feline lung worm larvae. Whilst this is one of the most reliable methods of identifying the offending worm, the larvae may not be present and this makes diagnosis difficult.
Lung X-Rays may revel some patterns
A bronchoscopy, which is an examination of the respiratory airways

cat worm medicine

There are numerous drugs that can be used for lungworm.

It would appear that fenbendazole (Panacur), which is a broad-spectrum de-wormer, is currently the drug of choice. Treatment normally lasts for about 2 - 3 months.

Ivermectin (Stromectol) is another broad spectrum anti-parasitic.

The vet will guide you regarding the dosage and the length of treatment.