Cases are on the rise across the UK, and it is thought this is down to warmer, wetter summers, which are ideal conditions for slugs and snails to breed. This is combined with greater movement of people and their dogs, helping to spread the disease around.
Younger dogs under the age of two tend to be more at risk, as are dogs who spend a lot of time outside – that have more chance to swallow lungworm larvae.
It is worth knowing more about lungworm, how dogs contract it, the symptoms to look out for and what lungworm treatment is available. If you suspect your dog has lungworm, you’ll need to seek veterinary treatment straight away.
Luckily, most dogs do not actively look to eat slugs and snails as they omit a foul-tasting slime. On the downside, lungworm can be picked up if your dog accidentally licks or eats grass that a slug or snail has crawled across or drinks from water outside. They can also contract lungworm if a gastropod crawls over any toys or chews left out in the garden.
By ingesting slug and snail slime, your dog is swallowing the tiny larvae excreted by their hosts. The larvae burrow through your dog’s gut wall and travel back to the heart and around the body as they turn into adults.
Lungworm symptoms differ from dog to dog and can vary, depending on how heavy the infestation is and which organs the worms are inhabiting. The most common symptoms are:
Lungworm treatment varies, depending on the severity of the illness and the symptoms. If the symptoms are mild, your vet may prescribe lungworm treatment and medication to take home. If your dog is very ill, they will need intensive treatment at a veterinary hospital.
It is far better to prevent your dog from catching lungworm in the first place. Here are some good habits you can put in place:
If you need any further advice on lungworm treatment or prevention, contact your local vet.
Other useful guides and advice:
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