If left untreated, lungworm can do more harm causing inflammation and, in severe cases, internal bleeding and organ failure. This might mean your dog needs more treatment, so prevention is always better than cure. Sadly, in some cases, it can be fatal.
The parasites can be killed with specific antiparasitic drugs depending on the type of lungworm. Different medications include ivermectin, fenbendazole (Panacur™), Moxidectin+Imidacloprid (Advantage Multi™), and Milbemycin Oxime+praziquantel (Interceptor Plus™).
If your cat has a mild lungworm infection without symptoms, it usually gets better on its own within a few weeks. If your cat has serious symptoms, you'll need to take them to the vet.
Treatment to get rid of lungworms in dogs involves a dewormer that's usually administered orally for 14 days. Your dog's immune system will generate inflammation as a reaction to the dead worms and larvae, so your veterinarian may also prescribe a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medication.
Dog lungworm can be serious, potentially even fatal, if left untreated. If you're worried it may be causing your pet to be sick contact your vet as soon as possible or, out of hours, find your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic or Vets Now 24/7 hospital.
The parasite is more common in some parts of the world, especially in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and Australia. People are at risk if they eat raw snails or slugs infected with this parasite, either deliberately or accidentally.
Lungworm is a nasty and potentially fatal disease caused by the parasite, angiostrongylus vasorum, which is carried around by slugs and snails (gastropods). It can cause heart failure, breathing difficulties, seizures and bleeding disorders.
Most dogs will recover from lungworm if caught and treated early. The type of medication given will depend on how severe the condition is. However, a small number of dogs may have lung scarring afterwards.
Lungworm - uncommon, but extremely serious
Not every snail or slug carries the disease and lungworm's geographical limitations means infection is currently relatively uncommon, but it does rear its head from time to time. In extreme cases it causes the death of infected patients, so it is potentially extremely serious.
Lifecycle. The general life cycle of a lungworm begins with an ingestion of infective larvae. The infective larvae then penetrate the intestinal wall where larvae migrate into the lungs through the bloodstream. The infected larvae reside in the lungs until the development into an adult lungworm.
Clinical signs of lungworm infection range from moderate coughing with slightly increased respiratory rates to severe persistent coughing and respiratory distress and even failure. Reduced weight gains, reduced milk production, and weight loss accompany many infections in cattle, sheep, and goats.
Lungworm is not common but owners should discuss the risks with their veterinary surgeon who can then provide the correct preventive treatment.
The most commonly used treatment is a spot-on medication containing two drugs called moxidectin and imidacloprid that kill the worms at all stages of development.
Not all slugs or snails contain lungworm larvae, but according to an almost unbelievable Countryfile statistic, an average British garden is home to more than 20,000 slugs and snails. The risk of a dog encountering a lungworm host is therefore high.
Diagnosing lungworm
Your vet can test your dog for the disease by examining their faeces under a microscope for signs of eggs and larvae.
These lungworms (Angiostrongylus vasorum) are also known as the French heartworm. This is a parasite where the adult worm infects dogs but the young stages are carried by slugs and snails. The parasite itself may not cause the dog any problems unless present in very large numbers.
Angiostrongylus is a parasitic nematode that can cause severe gastrointestinal or central nervous system disease in humans, depending on the species. Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is also known as the rat lungworm, causes eosinophilic meningitis and is prevalent in Southeast Asia and tropical Pacific islands.
Rat lungworm can infect other commonly eaten creatures, such as freshwater shrimp, land crabs and frogs. If eaten raw or undercooked, these foods may transmit the parasite to humans, too.
For prevention of lungworm disease, in areas where infection regularly occurs, and for prevention of eye worm, monthly treatment is given. For more information about using Nexgard Spectra, see the package leaflet or contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
The presence of lungworm can lead to poor blood clotting, which means that these unfortunate dogs sometimes present with bleeding problems. Neurological (nervous) signs such as seizures (fits) and back pain can also be seen. If left untreated these problems can be life threatening.
Signs of lungworm infection range from moderate, dry coughing with slightly increased respiratory rates to severe, persistent coughing and respiratory distress or even failure. Infections with no visible signs can also occur. Death is relatively uncommon in dogs infected with these lungworms.
Worming treatments usually come in the form of tablets or spot-ons, and may manage a range of parasites including lungworms.
If you suspect that your dog has eaten a slug then you should consult your vet for advice. Particularly if they are not on any form of regular preventative treatment for lungworm. They will likely recommend implementing some parasite products effective against this worm to prevent an infestation from taking hold.