[Pulmonary problems in dogs in the Netherlands with alarming cause (angiostrongylus vasorum)]

Two 9 month old dogs, that were presented with a history of increasing dyspnoea, are discussed. Examination of blood and lung lavage material gave indications for a parasitic cause. Using the Baermann method of fresh feces, larvae of the French heartworm Angiostrongylus vasorum were found. This worm is transferred via snakes and to a lesser extent by other (paratenic) hosts and has been reported regularly as autochthonous infection in The Netherlands during the last two years. Treatment with a licensed product with a combination of the active ingredients moxidectin and imidacloprid was effective.