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Angiostrongylus vasorum in a Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens): Clinical Diagnostic Trial and Treatment Protocol

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Abstract

Purpose

The literature refers that Angiostrongylus vasorum should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory diseases in captive red panda (Ailurus fulgens) from endemic areas, and the importance of undertaking a careful diagnostic process and timely medical treatment are crucial when the disease is suspected. The authors think that the description of this clinical case can help other colleagues in the deworming, clinical and anesthesiologic management of infected subjects.

Methods

A red panda was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Milan in Lodi, due to a diagnosis of A. vasorum formulated in May 2015. The diagnosis was made after the detection of both first-stage larvae by Baermann technique and antigens by serological rapid in-clinic assay. In addition, haemochromocytometric and blood chemistry tests, echocardiography and a CT examination were carried out.

Results

The subject was successfully treated by oral administration of milbemycin oxime and praziquantel (Milbemax, Novartis, Italy), respectively, at the weekly dose of 12.5 mg/subject and 125 mg/subject for three consecutive weeks, alternated with 20 days of suspension. Treatment continued with the same scheme until clinical examination carried out in Lodi in December 2018.

Conclusion

The follow-up of the described clinical case demonstrates how appropriate management of the infection and the subsequent prophylaxis can correctly eliminate the parasite, thus avoiding the spread of the nematode and the onset of severe and lethal lung forms as described in the literature.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Guadagnini Davide for his valuable contribution in the clinical management of this case.

Funding

None of the authors of this article has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Lodi University Veterinary Hospital, University of Milan, Via dell’Università n. 6, 26900, Lodi, Lombardy, Italy

    Mara Bagardi, Vanessa Rabbogliatti, Jessica Bassi, Daniela Gioeni & Luca Villa

  2. Parco Faunistico Le Cornelle, Via Cornelle n. 16, 24030, Valbrembo, Bergamo, Italy

    Maurizio Oltolina

Authors
  1. Mara Bagardi
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  2. Vanessa Rabbogliatti
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  3. Jessica Bassi
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  4. Daniela Gioeni
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  5. Maurizio Oltolina
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  6. Luca Villa
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Contributions

Conceptualization: BM, RV; Methodology: OM; Formal analysis and investigation: BM, RV, BJ, GD, VL; Writing—original draft preparation: BM, BJ, RV, VL; Writing—review and editing: BM, RV, OM; Supervision: BM, VL.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mara Bagardi.

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No conflicts of interest have been declared.

Ethics approval

We certificate, that the short communication “Angiostrongylus vasorum in a red panda (Ailurus fulgens): clinical diagnostic trial and treatment protocol” was written basing on data and samples collected from the animal during its health screen, under informed consent by the owners, according to the Institutional Ethics Committee of the University of the Study of Milan.

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Bagardi, M., Rabbogliatti, V., Bassi, J. et al. Angiostrongylus vasorum in a Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens): Clinical Diagnostic Trial and Treatment Protocol. Acta Parasit. 66, 282–286 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-020-00271-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-020-00271-6

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