Lungworm, which was once uncommon in the UK, is now common throughout the nation, with cases frequently reported in Southern England, Wales, Northern England, the Midlands, and Scotland.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take before taking your dog for a walk or letting them play in the garden to lessen the likelihood that they will contract lungworm.
Our knowledgeable resource explains lungworm, how to recognize the symptoms, and what you can do to safeguard your dog from this potentially fatal parasite.
Gudrun Ravetz, past president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), and head veterinary nurse Laura Hawkins provide additional information on how to recognize and treat lungworm.
Angiostrongylus Vasorum (AV), a parasitic round worm, is the cause of lungworm infection. Dogs typically contract lungworm when they play with or eat slugs and snails because they contain the larvae of the parasite. Additionally, they can come into contact by consuming grass, drinking from puddles, using outdoor water bowls, or playing with toys left outside in grass where the larvae can be found in the slime trail left by slugs and snails.
Lungworm, in contrast to many diseases, cannot be transmitted from dog to dog. Slugs and snails must act as a host for the worm in order for it to develop and grow. Frogs can also be used as a host.
Initially, the South East and South Wales had more cases of lungworm diagnosed in dogs, but other regions of the country, including Scotland, have seen an increase in cases. However it is still a rare diagnosis.
Dogs lick the slime trails left behind after eating infected slugs and snails and picking up the AV larvae. The larvae develop, move throughout the body, and eventually land in and around the lungs. The cycle repeats itself as the worms lay their eggs, develop into larvae inside the dog’s body, are then coughed up by the dog, swallowed, and passed in the feces, and infect more snails and slugs.
Slugs and snails are hermaphrodites, meaning that each one has both male and female sex organs. As a result, any two individuals can mate and reproduce, and one individual can even self-fertilize. Clusters of eggs develop in the soil, beneath leaves, or in other moist areas. The eggs can remain dormant in the soil for months before hatching only under the right circumstances.
According to agronomist Ryan Hudson, populations will typically rise during warm, wet conditions, such as a wet spring, which can encourage higher adult populations and lead to more eggs being laid for the fall.
By excreting lungworm larvae in their feces, infected dogs and foxes spread the parasite throughout the environment. Common garden inhabitants like slugs and snails then catch the disease, which they then spread by becoming infected. The parasite can even survive in their slime trails!.
The University of Brighton’s Dr. Bryony Tolhurst, a behavioral ecologist, explains that slugs and snails are necessary for the transmission of the lungworm parasite. Dogs can contract the parasite by consuming slugs or snails that are infected. When damp, infected larvae can also remain dormant in their slime trails for about two weeks1, potentially opening up a second path for parasite exposure. ”.
According to a 2015 study that looked at the carcasses of 424 foxes, expanding fox populations are believed to be one of the causes of its spread, affecting nearly one in five foxes across the UK. Although there is no legal requirement to report cases of the disease, experts warn that the actual number of cases of lungworm in dogs is likely to be much higher. To date, 2897 cases have been reported nationwide.
Foxes are capable of contracting lungworm and have been strongly linked to the national spread of the parasite.
What is the treatment?
The objectives of treatment are to get rid of the parasite and manage any inflammation-related symptoms. Depending on the type of lungworm, specific antiparasitic medications can kill the parasites. Ivermectin, fenbendazole (PanacurTM), Moxidectin+Imidacloprid (Advantage MultiTM), and Milbemycin Oxime+praziquantel (Interceptor PlusTM) are a few of the medications available. The duration of the medication’s prescription will range from several weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the dog’s infection. If the dog’s symptoms are mild, your veterinarian might recommend an anti-inflammatory drug. Rarely, hospitalization for oxygen therapy or other supportive treatments may be required if the dog has severe respiratory distress.
Are there areas where these infections are more common?
It appears that Eucoleus aerophilus can be found anywhere there are dogs or cats. Although Eucoleus boehmi’s prevalence is unknown, it appears to have a global distribution. Filaroides hirthi occasionally manifests itself in some kennels or in specific dogs. Oslerus osleri tends to occur sporadically and in certain regions. It is a fairly common coyote parasite in Nova Scotia, according to a study done in 2012. Worldwide, Crenostoma vulpis is prevalent in the fox population, and consequently, in dogs living in the same environment. In Canada, it originated in Atlantic Canada and has since spread to other provinces like Quebec and Ontario.
However, other worm types, such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms, can be passed from pets to people. As a result, it’s imperative to regularly deworm pets at least four times a year. Additionally, some tapeworms can be spread by infected fleas, but this can be avoided with consistent flea treatment.
Your veterinarian may perform a blood test and inquire about any symptoms your dog may be experiencing. In order to diagnose lungworm, they can also look at a sample of a dog’s feces (poo) under a microscope, though this is not always accurate because every sample may not contain lungworms.
FAQ
How do I know if my dog has got lungworm?
Due to the physical presence of the worms in their lung area, dogs frequently cough. Lungworm symptoms may include bleeding issues like blood in the urine, blood in the vomit, and petechial haemorrhage (pink blood spots on the gums). Additionally, owners may observe a scleral hemorrhage, or severe reddening around the eye.
Can a dog recover from lungworm?
Early diagnosis and treatment (before serious symptoms emerge) have a good prognosis for your dog. The prognosis is generally poor for lungworm infections that cause symptoms like breathing problems and seizures, and unfortunately, severe lungworm infections can be fatal.
How long does it take for a dog to get lungworm?
The worms begin to produce their own larvae after about 28 days, which can cause serious issues. It can cause hemorrhages virtually anywhere in the body, including the lungs, liver, intestine, eyes, and spinal cord. If left untreated, it can be fatal in severe cases.
How common are lungworms?
Despite the fact that not all snails and slugs carry the disease and that lungworm infection is currently relatively rare due to geographical restrictions, it does occasionally reappear. It is potentially extremely serious because in rare instances it results in the death of infected patients.