Lungworm

[Benellimelody]

Just thought i would give everyone a little warning as my brother nearly lost one of his dogs to Lung worm this last week.

 

His dog started losing energy and then labouring when breathing and then was coughing blood. gums were white (anaemia) and the dog was generally sick.

 

Anyway afer some treatment she seems to be recovering but is not of the woods yet.

 

Your normal wormer wont protect against Lung worm and it is lethal, often resulting in death if not caught soon enough. The Vet said if this dog wasnt so healthy and a fighter it would ov been a goner.

 

The lungworm parasite is carried by slugs and snails. If your dog accidentally or on purpose! eat these by eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or pick them up from their toys then you could be in trouble.

 

All this could have been prevented though - Make sure you protect your dog against it by using Advocate (Correct dosage)on a fairly regualar basis (Monthly). It is easilty applied to the skin on the back of the neck when the dog is dry. I have 2 cockers and just done them at about £8 ea so thats £100 ea a year but far outweighs the vets bills. I would say if you cant afford it all year then least do it when the parasite is most rife

(Warm and wet climate - Spring and Summer)

 

Anyway - just making people aware cos not everyone realises the severity of it or that it exists.

 

Speak to your vet - look on the web - dont loose your dog to it

Edited April 14, 2011 by Benellimelody

[kent]

Recently posted about my GWP and this condition. hardly any coughing you might notice, gums fine only sighn was blood in clear vomit, a little sort of choke now and again and still keen to run around like crazy as normal. he had a ten day course of panacur prescibed by vet and was fine. Be carefull like many illnesses not all dogs show all the symtoms. Most likely picked up from foxing in mine, maybee sheep but its that time of year

[mpk]

I also have used advocate for my lab since he was a pup. £24 for 3 months worth and it really is brilliant stuff !

Edited April 14, 2011 by mpk

[darren m]

Recently posted about my GWP and this condition. hardly any coughing you might notice, gums fine only sighn was blood in clear vomit, a little sort of choke now and again and still keen to run around like crazy as normal. he had a ten day course of panacur prescibed by vet and was fine. Be carefull like many illnesses not all dogs show all the symtoms. Most likely picked up from foxing in mine, maybee sheep but its that time of year

 

so what made you take her to the vet mate and how did they diagnose it , was it only the blood in vomit that was evident

 

anyone know , how long does it take from infection to severe illness or death , can this go on for years or is it sudden

[apache]

To the OP - where does your brother live in the country? I have not come across this parasite so far north - there are big problems down south.

 

It is diagnosed in the lab looking for the larvae in the dog's faeces.

 

It is picked up by eating slugs or snails, not directly from another dog.

[Albertan_J]

my vet told me the ads last year were ott and bordering on scaremongering but I am still on the lookout for symptoms.

[Benellimelody]

To the OP - where does your brother live in the country? I have not come across this parasite so far north - there are big problems down south.

 

It is diagnosed in the lab looking for the larvae in the dog's faeces.

 

It is picked up by eating slugs or snails, not directly from another dog.

 

Same place as me - County Durham

[kent]

so what made you take her to the vet mate and how did they diagnose it , was it only the blood in vomit that was evident

 

anyone know , how long does it take from infection to severe illness or death , can this go on for years or is it sudden

 

to decribe i should say the vomit looked like particles of lung ( congealed blood from the capilaries i assume) in clear mucus. I was actually in two minds to take him in but was glad i did. The vet seemed quite confident in his diagnosis especially when i said Fox and the fact that i live on a sheep farm.

[kent]

To the OP - where does your brother live in the country? I have not come across this parasite so far north - there are big problems down south.

 

It is diagnosed in the lab looking for the larvae in the dog's faeces.

 

It is picked up by eating slugs or snails, not directly from another dog.

 

You have now i live north of clitheroe in bowland. Personally with infections such as this they are too easy spread to say it's a North south thing, it only takes someone to bring an infected dog up here. Is it the same lungworm that infects Roe and Sheep for that occurs even further North like in Scotland and of course the sheep farms here have dosed with such things in mind for years

[apache]

Is it the same lungworm that infects Roe and Sheep for that occurs even further North like in Scotland and of course the sheep farms here have dosed with such things in mind for years

The lung-worm is specific to the dog family nothing to do with the cattle/sheep/horse lungworms.