Final answer:
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a parasitic nematode causing coughing and dyspnea, known as the feline lungworm, and is contracted by cats through ingestion of infected hosts.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that Aelurostrongylus abstrusus can cause coughing and dyspnea in affected animals, specifically cats. This parasitic nematode, often referred to as the feline lungworm, infects the respiratory system, leading to a range of respiratory problems including coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing (dyspnea). Cats can become infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus by ingesting intermediate hosts like snails or slugs, or transport hosts like birds or rodents that have consumed the intermediate host.