Defining the Transmission Season and Determining the Gastropod Intermediate Hosts of Crenosoma vulpis, the Fox Lungworm

Crenosoma vulpis (Fox Lungworm) is a metastrongyloid nematode parasite infecting the lungs of wild and domestic canids. It is a frequent cause of chronic respiratory disease in dogs in Atlantic Canada. Dogs and foxes acquire the infection from ingesting terrestrial gastropods which contain the infective third larval stage (L3) of the parasite. Nothing is known on which gastropod species serve as a source for natural infections. Determining the gastropod species involved in natural infections and defining the transmission season will further our understanding of the parasite epidemiology which is important in devising preventive control strategies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gary Conboy

Student:

William Robbins

Partner:

Bayer Inc Animal Health

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Program: