{"id":714,"date":"2022-01-13T07:00:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T06:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=15669"},"modified":"2022-01-13T12:34:17","modified_gmt":"2022-01-13T11:34:17","slug":"guide-to-lungworm-what-is-it-how-to-spot-the-signs-and-protect-your-dog","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/guide-to-lungworm-what-is-it-how-to-spot-the-signs-and-protect-your-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Lungworm: what is it, how to spot the signs and protect your dog"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 13 January 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Once a rare condition in the UK, Lungworm is now widespread across the country, with cases reported commonly reported in Southern England, Wales Northern England, the Midlands and Scotland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the chance of your dog catching lungworm by taking a couple of simple, but essential precautions before heading outdoors for a walk or to let them play in the garden.<\/p>\n

Our expert guide explains what lungworm is, how to spot the signs and what you can do to protect your dog from this potentially deadly parasite.<\/p>\n

Head Veterinary Nurse Laura Hawkins\u00a0and British Veterinary Association<\/a> (BVA) Past President\u00a0Gudrun Ravetz\u00a0explains more about how to spot the signs and treat lungworm.<\/p>\n

What is lungworm?<\/h3>\n

Lungworm is an infection caused by the round worm parasite called Angiostrongylus Vasorum (AV). Slugs and snails carry the lungworm larvae and dogs generally become infected when they play with and consume them. They can also come into contact by eating grass, drinking from puddles, outdoor water bowls or toys that have been left outside in grass as the larvae can be left in the slugs and snails slime trail.<\/p>\n

Unlike many diseases, lungworm cannot be passed from dog to dog. The worm needs slugs and snails to act as a host in order to grow and develop. Frogs<\/a> can also be used as a host.<\/p>\n

Incidents of lungworm being diagnosed in dogs were originally more prevalent in the South East and in South Wales, but there have been an increasing number of cases in other parts of the country, including Scotland. However it is still a rare diagnosis.<\/p>\n

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