Parasitic bronchitis

Lungworms which cause parasitic bronchitis include nematodes of the genera Dictyocaulus, Metastrongylus, and Protostrongylus.

[5] It can be diagnosed through fecal examination[6] or taking a sputum sample[7] and treated by killing the nematode larvae and adults.

[10] As the larvae travel towards the respiratory system, they mature, and by the time they reach the lungs, they are full adults.

[10] Once they reach the lungs the females lay eggs and once they hatch the new larvae travel up the windpipe to be swallowed and then expelled, repeating the cycle.

[8] Some high-risk conditions where D. viviparus is most commonly located are wet pastures with swampy areas,[8] mainly between June and November.

[7] When attempting to cough or expel air, the animal will continually take a position where its head, neck, and tongue are stretched out.

[9] In order to treat the parasite, all forms of anthelmintics are effective in killing both the developing larvae and adult D.viviparus.

[7] If they aren't treated before it becomes severe then the animal may not respond to the medicine or if there are very high numbers of parasites then killing them could result in the airways being blocked by the dead larvae.