What You Need to Know About Lungworm in Dogs

Photo Credit: uk.mypetandi.com

The uncommon canine lungworm is now classified as an emerging disease in the UK. This occurred after increased cases of infected dogs were reported. Protect your dog by learning where he might get lungworm, its symptoms, treatments, and tips on how to prevent it.

What is canine lungworm?

Canine lungworm, known as Angiostrongylus vasorum, is a parasitic worm. Adult lungworms reside in the heart and major blood vessels of the lungs of infected dogs. Late detection of lungworm in dogs can result in several health complications.

Why is lungworm on the rise?

The cause of the rising number of lungworm infections in dogs remains a mystery. However, several factors are believed to be linked to its occurrence, such as:

• Increasing movement of pets across the country and abroad
• Changes in the environment, like the weather
• Increased contact between wildlife and urban environment

How do dogs get lungworm?

Different kinds of lungworms can infect dogs. Each of them varies in transmission and can either be infectious or not.

Oslerus osleri

This lungworm can be passed on primarily through saliva. It usually happens when a dam licks her puppies to groom them.

Crenosoma vulpis

It is mainly acquired through eating infected slugs and snails, which are hosts of lungworm larvae.

Every time your dog takes a stroll, eats grass, or drinks from puddles, there is a high chance that he may accidentally or deliberately ingest these slug or snails.

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Leaving your dog’s toys, feeding bowls, and water bowls outdoors can cause lungworms as well. This is because infected snails or slimes may leave a sludge trail.

Eucoleus aerophilus

Dog and foxes are the common hosts for this lungworm. Dog-to-dog transmission occurs when faeces or saliva of an infected canine is ingested.

Is lungworm fatal in dogs?

If the dog with lungworm is treated immediately, he will make a full recovery. However, if he’s left untreated, his condition may exacerbate. It can lead to a slew of health problems such as constant coughing and haemorrhages in his eyes, intestine, liver, lungs, and spinal cord. In severe cases, it can lead to death.

Which dogs may be prone to becoming infected by lungworm?

All dogs are at risk of contracting lungworm regardless of their breed and age. But it is observed that puppies that are under two years of age are highly susceptible to this disease. Spaniels are also more prone to pick up lungworm. It is speculated that it is due to a birth defect or because the breed is often found outdoors helping out with work.

Can humans get lungworm?

Lungworm is not contagious to humans, but other parasitic worms are. These include hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Proper hygiene and sanitation such as the washing of hands will prevent the spread of these parasites.

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How do I know if my dog has lungworm?

Symptoms of lungworm in dogs are often unspecific and may be mistaken for another health condition. Sometimes, there may even be no hints that indicate its presence. Whilst this may be the case, it is still crucial to know the signs of lungworm in dogs. Below is a list of the most common symptoms of the disease:

• Heightened breathing rate
• Weight loss
• Moderate coughing (sometimes accompanied with blood)
• Prone to bleeding or poor blood clotting
• Decrease in energy
• Painful abdomen
• Back pain
• Lack of appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting

How to test for lungworm in dogs?

Diagnosing lungworm includes looking at the clinical signs your dog is exhibiting. The vet will also check the possibility of exposure to the parasite.

Once any presence of these parasites is found in your area, lungworm will most likely be the presumed cause of your dog’s symptoms. After that, the vet will run a few tests to get a definitive diagnosis. Here are a few examinations your dog may be subjected to:

• X-raysThis is to check if his lung lobes and airways have nodules or abnormal spots.
• BronchoscopyIt is used to examine his airways and collect cell samples from these nodules.
• Blood testsThis finds out if your dog has eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. Its presence indicates that his condition may be caused by lungworm.
• Routine faecal flotation testIt detects the presence of lungworm larvae in faecal samples.

Is lungworm treatable in dogs?

Lungworm infection in dogs is highly treatable, especially if diagnosed in its early stages. Lungworm treatment aims to get rid of the parasites and manage the symptoms brought by the condition.

The vet may prescribe certain antiparasitic drugs to eliminate lungworms. How long your dog will be on medication will depend on the severity of his condition. It may stretch from weeks to months.

If your dog’s symptoms are moderate, medication will be prescribed to ease inflammation. For severe cases of lungworm, which rarely happens, hospitalisation may be advised and other supportive treatments.

How to prevent lungworm in dogs?

Keep in mind that even if a dog with lungworm is successfully treated, he may still contract it again. Therefore, prevention is necessary to protect your pooch from the risk of recurrent infection. The following are some tips to prevent lungworm infection in dogs:

• During walks, make sure to properly pick up and dispose of your dog’s faeces. This will break the lungworm’s life cycle and hinder the transmission of its larvae.
• Lungworm is now considered as endemic across the UK. It is a good idea to check if your area is prone to lungworm infestation. You can use this online lungworm map to check your location.
• The best way to prevent your dog from catching lungworm is by giving him worm treatments every month. Ask the vet for advice on what type of treatment is suitable for your pooch.
• Always practise proper hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after spending time with your dog, especially if you went for an outdoor excursion.

If possible, keep his toys, food bowl, and water bowl inside your home. Wash these regularly, too, to get rid of any harmful bacteria or substances.