Lungworm !!

[daveyboi]

My friend's 8 month old puppy recently contacted lungworm.

I just want to make sure all A4A dog owners are aware of this particular worm.
It has become more prevalent recently in the UK.

At one stage his puppy was not expected to last the night but luckily she made it.
Here is the advice that our vet posted on facebook after treating her..


Lungworm is a growing problem for dogs - we recently had a case where a very poorly dog, Skye, was brought into our clinic but luckily she is responding to treatment (here she is, pictured with Emily at her check-up).

The lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasite that can cause serious health problems in dogs and can even be fatal if not diagnosed and treated. Slugs and snails carry the lungworm larvae, and dogs can become infected when they accidentally (or purposefully) eat these common garden pests whilst rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or pick them up from their toys. Preventative products are available and with regular use prevention is easy to achieve. It is best to speak to your vet because not all worming products are effective against this particular parasite.


Lungworm infections can result in a number of different signs, which may easily be confused with other illnesses, but due to clients taking preventative measures and improved detection methods, including blood test and poo sampling, more and more cases are now being confirmed. The main symptoms are poor blood clotting, coughing, breathing difficulties, changes in behaviour and general sickness.

Dogs of all ages and breeds can become infected, but younger dogs seem to be more prone to picking up the parasite, and dogs who are known to eat slugs and snails are also considered at high risk.

Once confirmed, treatment is available and can result in full recovery, but as this parasite can be fatal it is important to remember prevention is better than cure.

[daveyboi]

[Paulines7]

I am pleased the puppy is okay now.  I believe humans can get lungworms too.  Has anyone seen the tv programme "Monsters inside me"?  It is all about parasites.  I find the programme interesting and enlightening but it wouldn't be everyones "cup of tea". 

One of my cats had roundworms a few months ago.  He was sick and I spotted this 6 inch thin worm that he had brought up.  It was my fault as I had gone a few weeks over the date when my cats worming tablets were due.   William, the one who had the worms catches mice, voles and shrews and likes to eat them whereas the other cat, Winston, never eats his prey.  I quickly wormed them both though.

[Obelixx]

Thanks for the info.  I worm our dogs but will have to check if the treatment covers this worm next time I go to the vet for jabs and stuff.   Both dogs regularly eat grass and the terrier is a ratter so regular worming is important.

[terrier]

It is important to use a good quality, recognised worming preparation. Some wormers on the market do not give adequate protection. Buy the wormer from a Veterinary practice and make sure it is a 'Full Spectrum' wormer ( not all wormers give protection against Lungworm).

[Obelixx]

I do, and flea and tick treatments too as the stuff sold in pharmacies is not as effective as the stuff the vets have.

[star]

I know this is an old topic, but its an improtant one.

Last autumn I popped outside to see two of my most hated adversaries bonking on the patio.....slugs! I poured sakt on them and toddled off inside happy there were 2 less to annoy me ( and their offspring).
Next morning in the remaing ugh was a creamy white hard worm, it had been in one of the slugs it was an inch, or just a bit more, long. I had thought then it must have been a lungworm.
Its so easily transmitted to dogs eating grass or picking up a toy thats been left outside overnight. I always had and still have a good flea and worming regime. Cant afford not to.

[daveyboi]

Thanks Star for reminding us about this issue.

I can report that Skye has recovered fully although her lung function is still slightly impaired. Otherwise she is fine and full of energy as a young dog is.

I just hope we do not start getting super slugs that have resistance to the worming drugs in the future as it was a very distressing incident.

[star]

That would be the most awful outcome....resistant worms to treatments.

Its scary to think that penicillin is of no use any more in certain areas of the world. We humans as a species do overuse, take liberties and take for granted things that have benefited us for decades.

As they say prevention ( where possible) is far better than cure.

Im so pleased your young dog is back to herself again Davyboi, that must have been dreadful for you to witness.

[daveyboi]

Im so pleased your young dog is back to herself again Davyboi, that must have been dreadful for you to witness.

Thanks Star
It was a nightmare I can tell you and really touch and go whether she survived in fact the vet could not believe she made it, as they sent her to a veterinary hospital for specialist care, when we took her back for a check up.
She is not my dog though although she spends quite a lot of time with me while her owner is at work.

[warley]

Unlike flea treatment, worming tablets literally clear the body of the specific worms they treat and have no lasting effects.  Basically if you worm your pet one week they can pick up a worm the following week.  This is why its important to regularly worm your pet.  Also, if your pet happens to get flea's, its important to worm at the same time.  An ingested flea turns into a worm.  Yuk I know!!

I help run a dog rescue charity and we always tell new owners to flea with a vet approved spot on flea treatment every 8 weeks (every 4 weeks if you want to prevent ticks) and worm every 3 months with a good all round wormer from the vets.  If the dog is a scavenger, then increase this to once a month. 

[BarriedaleNick]

An ingested flea turns into a worm.  Yuk I know!!

They don't literally turn from one species into another but an ingested flea can contain immature tapeworms which can be then be passed to the animal.