27/02/2025
This gorgeous pup is Winston, one of last year's puppy class graduates. Last week, he woke up drooling and not being quite himself. His vet diagnosed him with lungworm, a parasitic worm that is not covered by many worming tablets.
Winston became really poorly and was kept at the vet's overnight. He required a plasma transfusion, and despite his treatment he developed severe neck pain. This is because lungworm can damage the spinal cord or brain in severe cases. Winston was transferred to a specialist vet on the other side of the country and an MRI scan confirmed that he suffered a brain lesion from the lungworm infection. Luckily, he is on the mend and doing much better. His guardians asked that I share his story to raise awareness:
ℹ️ What is lungworm?
Lungworm is a parasitic worm that infests the lungs of vertebrates (animals with bones). The larvae are typically transmitted by snails, slugs or frogs. When dogs or other animals eat snails or slugs (often accidentally by picking up a toy in the garden), they can contract the larvae. The larvae mature into worms in the dog's body and spread through the blood vessels to all organs.
This means the worms can cause damage to all organs, including the lungs, liver, intestine, eyes, spinal cord and brain. As you can imagine, it can be fatal in severe cases.
🚫 What can you do to prevent your dog from getting infected?
❤️🩹 Worm regularly, and ask your vet whether the worming tablets they prescribe protect against lungworm.
❤️🩹 Check outdoor spaces for snails and slugs.
❤️🩹 Do not leave your dog's toys out in the garden.
❤️🩹 Wash outdoor water bowls daily.
It is also a good idea to have a good pet insurance for your dog, as treatment can become very expensive very very quickly. An MRI scan like Winston received is upward of £2000.
More information can found here: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/lungworm-advice-for-dog-owners
I wish Winston the best of recovery. He's a super pup and very loved! ❤️
Image Description: A beautiful red and white cockerpoo is sitting and looking directly at the camera. Yellow bold text reads "Lungworm awareness"