Jenny's Jottings: Lungworm in dogs

The majority of dog owners know about intestinal worms, but I wanted to write today about lungworm in dogs. This is a potentially serious disease with cases on the increase in the Midlands.

The lungworm that we see in this country infects mostly domestic dogs and foxes. Worm larvae are excreted in the faeces of these animals and mature inside what we call an 'intermediate host'. These intermediate hosts are mainly slugs and snails. Dogs become infected with lungworm by eating slugs and snails that contain these lungworm larvae. And the cycle continues as the dog passes infected faeces.

Any dog can become infected with lungworm, but young dogs are most commonly affected. The symptoms are varied which can make diagnosis tricky. You may expect a cough or problems coping with exercise, but dogs may also present with blood clotting problems or neurological signs. Symptoms associated with lung disease are not always present.

Treatment success often depends on the type of symptoms the dog has, as the worm itself is quite easy to kill with commonly used wormers. Dogs with uncontrolled bleeding or neurological signs can be seriously ill. Blood transfusions may be needed. Dogs can also have severe breathing difficulties which can be difficult to manage. Lungworm is not particularly common and in most cases, dogs make a full recovery, but due to these factors, infection can be fatal.

It's important that dog owners know how to protect their pet. Regular worming with a product recommended by your vet can help to reduce the chance of disease. Also, reducing the contact between slugs/snails and your dog can help. This can be done by trying to avoid outdoor feeding and water bowls. Remember, slug pellets are very toxic to dogs and if eaten, often cause irreversible seizures, so these are not an option for control! Removing faeces from the garden at least on a daily basis will reduce the opportunity for the intermediate hosts to be infected. This is important especially if foxes frequent your garden.

These are just a few simple steps to help protect your pet.

By Jenny Jones BVM&S MRCVS, vet at Borrajo’s Veterinary Clinics.