Oslerus rostratus

From Felipedia

Oslerus (Filaroides) rostratus is a metastrongyloid nematode parasite that occasionally finds its way into the respiratory system of the domestic cat. Oslerus rostratus is a large worm that is closely related to Oslerus osleri. It has been reported from cats in the United States, Pacific Islands, Southern Europe, and the Middle East[1].

The adult males are about 28-37 mm long, and the adult females are 48-64 mm long. The worms are typically found in the bronchial submucosa. The vulva in the female is located just anterior to the anus. The larvae found in the feces are 335 to 412 micrometer long and have a tail that is similar to the of Oslerus osleri.

The larvae develop in slugs. The third-stage larvae from slugs are capable of infecting mice that serve as paratenic hosts. Similarly, week-old chickens can be infected as paratenic hosts and that the larvae recovered from these chicks are capable of infecting a cat. Larvae were observed in the cat 78 days after being given infective-stage larvae[2].

There have been no studies on the signs of infection with this parasite or on effectiveness of different treatments.