Owned and operated by a qualified veterinary nurse. Licenced Boarder and Daycare. SODC Licence number 20857. 5 Star, Highest Standard Licence.
11/03/2025
Lungworm in Dogs: The importance of treatment!
Lungworm, scientifically known as Angiostrongylus vasorum, is a serious and potentially fatal parasite that is increasingly affecting dogs. Recently, we have seen a rise in cases at our hospital, highlighting the importance of awareness and early detection.
How Do Dogs Get Lungworm?
Lungworm is primarily transmitted through snails and slugs. Dogs can become infected by:
• Drinking from outdoor water sources
• Eating grass
• Playing with toys left outside
These parasites then make their way to the heart and lung vessels, causing significant health issues.
Symptoms to Watch For
Unfortunately, lungworm symptoms can be subtle and often go unnoticed until the infection is advanced. Key symptoms include:
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Bleeding and bruising
• Weight loss
• Vomiting/diarrhoea
• Inappetance
• Lethargy
Most commonly, though, there are NO symtoms until it is too late.
Prevention and Treatment
Preventing lungworm involves reducing your dog's exposure to potential carriers like snails and slugs. Regular vet check-ups and preventive treatments can also help keep your dog safe. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, seek veterinary care immediately. Please do check that the products that you are using cover your dog for lungworm – even if you are worming regularly not all products cover it (e.g. Drontal, Panacur) so be aware of what you are using. Panacur treats only oslerus osleri, which is not the type of lungworm that we're concerned about in this post.
If you would like to discuss the wormers you are using you can book a free flea/worming treatment check (as long as that is all that is discussed) with one of our vets at any of our branches. Please also see the link to our Heath Care Plan below. Let's keep all our pets safe! https://www.hampdenvets.co.uk/small-animal/pet-health-plan
Photo of dog on a beach taken from Pexels under Creative Commons license.
