Characterization of radiographic findings of domestic cats with lung diseases diagnosed with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus using the Baermann technique.
Stool examination, radiography, cat lungworm.
Lower respiratory tract disorders can be attributed to both infectious and non-infectious causes. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea, Angiostrongylidae) is the pulmonary parasite of domestic cats most frequently diagnosed as the cause of pulmonary disease with worldwide geographic coverage. However, due to the need for specific coproparasitological examination, infrequent in the laboratory routine, it becomes an underdiagnosed condition. On the other hand, thoracic radiography is commonly required and easily accessible, becoming an important tool to aid in the diagnosis of lung diseases. However, there are no radiographic findings specific to aelurostrongylosis, making it difficult to correlate it with a possible differential diagnosis. The present work aims to correlate the presence of the parasite through Baermann's technique, to the thoracic radiographic findings of domestic cats positive for the parasite. Fresh fecal samples will be selected, with no predilection for sex, age or race, with free access to the street or newly adopted, assisted in the Feline Sector of the HVPA of the UFRRJ, for the most diverse reasons. Positive animals will be submitted to clinical, hematological and chest X-ray evaluation.