Lungworm - Hints and Tips

Hints and tips to help prevent lungworm adversely affecting your dog

Lungworm is now being reported by vets across many parts of the UK, including Scotland. However, there's no reason why this potentially fatal disease should present your dog with any particular problems.
A little extra vigilance and a few simple precautions could avoid any suffering should your dog come into contact with this particularly nasty parasite.

Be vigilant

• Watch to see if your dog likes eating slugs and/or snails, particularly in spring and autumn when these molluscs are more prevalent

• Know your dog – signs of the disease are varied and can easily be confused with other ailments, so keep an eye out for anything unexpected

Signs of the disease include:

• reluctance to exercise
• coughing
• depression
• weight loss
• fits
• vomiting
• weakness
• paralysis/inability to walk
• excessive bleeding from even minor wounds

Contact your vet if you have any concerns, your dog habitually eats slugs or snails, or if you see any of the signs described above.

• Avoid the use of outdoor drinking water and food bowls which often attract slugs or snails – there is evidence that slime trails can infect a dog if they are eaten
• Don't leave your dog's toys, chews or bones in the garden as they can attract snails
• Ask your vet for a parasite control programme that takes into account the risk of dogs becoming infected