What is Lungworm and why dose it matter? Angiostrongylus vasorum is a worm that lives in the heart and lungs of dogs and foxes. It can cause serious disease. Although it has been present in parts of the UK for 30 years, the parasite seems to be spreading and there have been increasing numbers of outbreaks in endemic areas. The worm is especially common in southern part of the UK and now being seen in increased numbers in London. Angiostorngylus vasorum is commonly known as Lungworm by vets in the UK. It is important to note that this is a completely different species to Dirofilaria immitis, a mosquito-transmitted heartworm that is common in continental Europe but so far absent from the UK. Life cycle. The adult worms live in the pulmonary (lung) arteries of dogs and foxes. The females release eggs which are carried in the blood and wedge in the lung capillaries (small blood vessels). The eggs hatch and the larva pass into the airways of the lungs. These are then coughed up and swallowed to be passed out in the faeces. The larva are then taken in by slugs and snails were they develop further. The dog or fox is then infected by eating the infected snails and slugs. Direct ingestion of larva from infected faeces may occur. The larvae penetrate through the gut wall and migrate to the pulmonary arteries.

What clinical signs should I look out for?
Although it lives in the heart, the worm can cause lung disease. This can be seen as a persistent cough and breathing difficulty. However, a wide range of signs is possible, making the disease difficult to identify. These include poor blood clotting, bruising, seizures, lameness, abdominal pain, lack of energy and stunting in growing dogs.

How can my dog become infected?
The parasite is transmitted from dog faeces to slugs and snails, where it develops to the infective stage (see diagram). Dogs are infected by eating or having close contact with infected slugs and snails.
There is a lot that we do not know about the infection process. It is not advisable to try to eliminate slugs and snails using slug pellets. This is unlikely to work and slug pellets are extremely toxic to dogs.

Can my dog catch it from an infected dog or fox?
No, the only route of infection is from eating an infected slug or snail.
How can my vet make a diagnosis of Lungworm?
There are several test that can help your vet to reach a diagnosis including taking a faecal sample to check for Larvae.

What should I do if my dog starts coughing?
Don't panic! Take it to your vet. There are many reasons why a dog may start coughing. However if your dog is known to eat snails then a veterinary examination is definitely a good idea. If your vet is uncertain of the cause of the cough they will probably recommend doing various tests to investigate the cause. This may include chest x-rays, blood tests, stool analysis and obtaining samples of mucus or fluid from the airways in the lungs. Obviously if you have seen your dog eating slugs or snails remember to mention this to your vet.

Can Lungworm infection be treated?
There are drugs available to treat Lungworm. However, in spite of treatment this disease can be fatal. It is therefore important to watch for clinical signs in your dog and consult your vet as soon as possible. Routine worming is not 100% successful at preventing Lungworm infection, and some wormers are more effective than others. Seek your Vet's advice on the best worming regime for your dog. A simple but effective treatment for Angiostrongylus vasorum is Advocate® which is available as a monthly spot on preparation, which is also used to treat fleas.
For more Information about worming to protect your pets and your family visit www.wormfree.co.uk and don’t forget to sign up for our free reminder services by clicking here