Lungworm (Aelurostrongylus)

Lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) live in the terminal bronchioles and small pulmonary arteries in the lung of cats. These worms release eggs which having hatched to infective larvae travel up the airway to be swallowed and passed in the feces. These larvae move down the food chain through insects to birds or small mammals eventually infecting other cats. The adult worms live for up to 2 years but generally only cause mild respiratory signs including coughing. More severe respiratory problems can develop in young or immunosuppressed cats.