Tetanus and lungworm Flashcards
(11 cards)
What causes tetanus and how does it affect the body?
Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic bacterium producing tetanospasmin toxin. Toxin blocks glycine release in interneurons, causing unchecked motor neuron activity and muscle spasms.
How is Clostridium tetani transmitted and what are common infection sites?
Infection follows contamination of penetrating wounds with spores. Commonly from feet injuries, bite wounds, or surgical sites. Cryptogenic cases occur where no wound is identified.
What are the clinical signs of tetanus in dogs and cats?
Dogs: sardonic grin, erect ears, trismus (lock jaw), stiff gait, respiratory distress in severe cases. Cats: more often focal limb rigidity. Disease more severe with higher toxin load or proximity to CNS.
How is tetanus diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis based on classic signs. Culture and toxin detection are difficult. Treatment includes wound debridement, metronidazole (antibiotic of choice), antitoxin administration, sedatives, and intensive nursing.
What is the prognosis and prevention of tetanus in dogs?
Fair prognosis depending on severity. Recovery takes weeks to months. Vaccination not recommended in dogs/cats due to rarity. Tetanus is not contagious to humans from animals.
What is Angiostrongylus vasorum and where is it found?
A metastrongylid nematode (‘French heartworm’) infecting dogs and foxes. Widespread in Western Europe with hotspots in southern UK. Infection via ingestion of infected molluscs or paratenic hosts.
Describe the life cycle and pathogenesis of Angiostrongylus vasorum.
L3 larvae ingested, migrate via intestinal wall to lymph nodes, mature in pulmonary arteries. Larvae coughed up, swallowed, passed in faeces, infect gastropods. Causes coughing, coagulopathies, and heart failure.
What are the clinical signs of canine angiostrongylosis?
Coughing, dyspnoea, tachypnoea, bleeding diathesis (petechiae, scleral haemorrhage), pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, CNS signs from aberrant larval migration or haemorrhage.
How is angiostrongylosis diagnosed?
Confirmed by Baermann technique, faecal smear, tracheal wash, qPCR (high sensitivity), or in-house ELISA (Angio Detect). Imaging and clinical signs also aid diagnosis.
What treatments are available for canine angiostrongylosis?
Licensed treatments: imidacloprid/moxidectin (Advocate), milbemycin. Fenbendazole used off-label. Steroids if respiratory signs worsen after treatment. Blood/plasma transfusions for coagulopathy/DIC if needed.
How can canine angiostrongylosis be prevented?
Preventative treatments include Advocate and milbemycin. Environmental measures: restrict access to slug/snail habitats, remove faeces, prevent ingestion of gastropods. Advocate licensed for prepatent prevention in UK.
