DOGS bought over lockdown could be at risk from the deadly parasite lungworm, warn vets. Easily preventable, lungworm can be deadly to dogs and there have been 125 cases reported within a 50-mile raduis of Weymouth. The vicious blood sucker is spread by slugs and snails - and vets estimate that thousands of pet owners are walking unprotected dogs. Dogs can be infected with the potentially fatal parasite when they eat common slugs and snails in their garden or on walks. They can also pick up lungworm while rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or picking it up from their toys.
Dogs can be infected with the potentially fatal parasite when they eat common slugs and snails in their garden or on walks. They can also pick up lungworm while rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or picking it up from their toys. Due to the damp weather in May, experts suggest slug and snail activity will rapidly increase, meaning dogs are at greater risk of contracting lungworm in the garden, on walks and even by drinking from water bowls or puddles.
Elanco’s Lungworm Map shows that rates have been spreading year on year within the UK, and there are currently 374 reported cases within a 50 mile radius of Southampton.
LUNGWORM hotspots in Cheshire have been identified after vets have issued an urgent warning over the deadly parasite. It is spread by the slime of slugs and snails, who contain the infective lungworm parasite and it is thought that thousands of dog owners could be walking unprotected pets. After the damp weather across Cheshire in May, experts are suggesting that slug and snail activity could explode in the UK. Dogs can contract lungworm in the garden, by eating slugs or snails or grass, on walks, rummaging through undergrowth, and even by drinking from water bowls or puddles. A total of 174 cases of lungworm have been reported within a 50 mile radius of Cheshire.