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Ollulanus
tricuspis
is a small worm, ≤1 mm long, that infects several animal species and occasionally induces a mild erosive or catarrhal gastritis in cats. Vomiting minutes to a few hours after eating is a common sign. The females are viviparous, so massive infections can build up endogenously. Transmission is via vomitus. Diagnosis is by microscopic demonstration of worms in the vomitus. The use of a Baermann apparatus enables the separation of the worms from ingesta, after which they are
easier to observe. Therapeutic efficacy in cats has been demonstrated with fenbendazole (20-50 mg/kg, PO, sid for 3 days) and levamisole (5 mg/kg, SC, once), although these are not approved treatments. |