Further insights into the clinical aspects of Angiostrongylus vasorum natural infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs.

Canine angiostrongylosis is a cardiopulmonary disease emerging in Europe which can be fatal if left untreated. An early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is auspicable not only in symptomatic dogs because it may lead to a complete clinical resolution but also in asymptomatic dogs to reduce the risk of parasite importation in new areas suitable for parasite establishment. The aim of the present work is to investigate the different clinical and paraclinical findings in both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs naturally infected by Angiostrongylus vasorum. Twelve dogs were included in the study. Diagnosis was made by means of larval morphological identification on faecal samples. Pathological paraclinical findings were registered both in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. In particular, the increase in b globulin fraction at serum protein electrophoresis and radiographic alterations were reported as usefull findings to increase the suspicion of infection in asymptomatic dogs.