What is this lungworm?
The lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum (also known as French Heartworm) is a parasite that infects dogs. The adult of this particular lungworm lives in the heart and major blood vessels supplying the lungs, where it can cause a host of problems. Left untreated, the infection can often be fatal.
The lungworm parasite is carried by slugs and snails. The problem arises when dogs purposefully or accidentally eat these common garden pests when rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or pick them up from their toys.
Foxes can also become infected with the lungworm, and have been implicated in the spread of the parasite across the country.
There are two main problems caused by dogs becoming infected with lungworm:
- Infection with lungworm can cause serious health problems in dogs, and is often fatal if not diagnosed and treated.
- Dogs infected with lungworm spread the parasite into the environment, as the larvae of the parasite are expelled in the dog’s faeces. This increases the chances of other dogs becoming infected
Prevention and Treatment
It is important to recognise that lungworm is not prevented or treated by the conventional use of worming tablets when given every three months, or even every month.
Thankfully, treatment of lungworm infection in dogs is widely available and easy to administer. Once diagnosed and treated, most dogs make a full recovery. The key to successful treatment is taking action early.
Source: http://www.lungworm.co.uk/what-should-i-do-next/
