Lungworm in Dogs
The lungworm parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum can cause serious and life threatening symptoms in affected dogs.
Although it is being reported more widely, the incidence in the NorthWest of England is still very low but you should still protect your dog.
How can my dog become infected?
Infected larvae must be eaten. These larvae can be found in infected slugs, snails and frogs. The slime trail from infected slugs and snails can also contain infective larvae. Slime trails could obviously be found on food, bones, toys, water bowls etc that are left outside. Foxes can also become infected and play a part in spread of the parasite.
What are the symptoms?
In an infected dog, the parasite can cause a wide variety of symptoms which are often confused with many other illnesses, but the following is a list of some possible symptoms:
1 Coughing or abnormal breathing problems including exercise tiredness
2 Bleeding due to a reduction in the dogs clotting ability: the bleeding could be anywhere in the body e.g. wounds, nose bleeds, ocular bleeding, gum bleeding etc The bleeding could be severe enough to cause anaemia.
3 Generalised illnesses including reduced appetite, gastrointestinal upsets, weight loss.
4 Seizures could be triggered if the brain is affected. What if I suspect any of the above symptoms?
You should make an appointment to see the Vet as soon as possible, so that correct testing and treatment can be started.
Which dogs are most at risk?
Any dog could get infected, but known risk factors help to decide the likelihood of infestation:
Geographical: seen much more commonly in the South West, South Wales and the South East.
Age: Younger dogs up to 2 years old are much more commonly affected.
Habits: Dogs known to have eaten slugs or snails, or licked frogs, slugs or snails [or their trails] are more at risk.
Is there a prevention:
Strictly speaking there is no 100% way of preventing infestation with the lungworm parasite. However, dogs wormed MONTHLY with Milbemax worming tablets have been shown to have approximately 85% reduction in infective larvae.
Normal worming advice for dogs would be to give Milbemax tablets monthly up to 6 months old, then every 3 months for life, but monthly worming is advised if there is any higher risk. To reduce the risk of Lungworm we would advise Milbemax monthly up to 2 years old, then reducing to 3 monthly dosing.
Milbemax is a prescription wormer, which can be prescribed if the pet is under our care and has been seen by our vets in the previous 12 months.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS THAT YOUR DOG MAY BE INFECTED OR YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ANY CONCERNS PLEASE CONTACT US ON 01772 861300 (OAKHILL), 01772 681992 (OAKHILL KIRKHAM), 01772 718774 (ABBEY CONWAY) OR 01772 700671 (ABBEY WATLING)
For further information see www.lungworm.co.uk
