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New Lungworm Threat

New lungworm threat to dogs - is your dog at risk?

There are many parasitic worms that dogs can catch, and we vets spend years at vet school learning the intricacies of their life cycles (not the most popular part of the course with most students!) One worm which has been gaining publicity recently in the UK is the catchily named Angiostrongylus vasorum, also known as Lungworm or the French Heartworm.

Until recently this parasite was rare in the UK and only really seen in areas of Wales and the South-West, but vets are reporting cases with increasing frequency across the UK and it has been diagnosed as far North as Scotland. It is still pretty rare in Yorkshire, but as infection can be fatal it is worth all dog owners being aware of this disease.

This lungworm is not passed from dog to dog, but is carried by slugs, snails and occasionally frogs. If your dog, or a fox,  eats an infected slug, snail or frog (or possibly some of the slimy trail left behind although this has not yet been proven) the lungworm larvae migrate from the dog’s intestine to their heart. The adult lungworm actually lives in the heart or pulmonary arteries, where the females lay eggs which pass to the lungs where they develop into larvae. Larvae are then coughed up and swallowed, then passed out in the dog’s stools where they can then be eaten by slugs, snails or frogs.

It may seem unlikely that your dog would eat slugs and snails, but it can happen by accident in an outside food or water bowl, or if the slug is on a bone or toy. However, most cases occur in dogs less than 2 years old, and some young dogs seem to deliberately look for and eat slugs and snails.

Signs associated with lungworm include coughing, shortness of breath, unexplained bleeding (for example nosebleeds or during surgery), tiring easily, fitting, and sometimes weight loss and diarrhoea. The severity of the disease varies from the mild to the life-threatening, and many dogs have lost their lives.

Diagnosis of this lungworm is difficult. The varied symptoms mean that it mimics many other diseases and the underlying cause can easily be overlooked. Proof of infection is by testing the dogs faeces, but even after examination of 3 separate samples (the recommended testing method) some cases can be missed.

There are several effective treatments available, and if caught early the damage is usually reversible. As well as treatment to kill the parasite, other medications are often needed to deal with the symptoms. Unfortunately in cases where there is heavy infection or the parasite has been present for some time the damage can be irreversible and the outlook poor.

So what should the responsible dog owner do to prevent lungworm? If you know your dog eats slugs or snails I would suggest you come and discuss regular treatments (NOT the usual worming tablets) to ensure your dog is not harbouring lungworm. Try to ensure outdoor food and water bowls are not visited by snails. As with many other parasites,  picking up and disposing of your dogs waste will help break the life cycle. There are now a huge range of anti-parasitic treatments available, our vets and nurses are happy to devise a programme to suit your pet’s lifestyle. This infection is still rare, but being aware of the signs it can cause and seeking prompt veterinary attention if you are worried seems a very sensible precaution.

Nicky Lumley MRCVS
Toft Lodge Veterinary Centre

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