Be careful... to all dog owners

[daisycup]

My friend's dog died last night suddenly 2 hours after becoming ill. She was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and ears. They rushed her down the vet and they were told that she had eaten slugs. Within the slug was a french worm - apparently the worm is released from the slug during the digestion process and penetrates the wall of the dog's stomach or intestine. Then they migrate to the heart. The worm will start to shed eggs and they are transported to the lungs where they hatch. Sometimes they can be passed through - but evenutally the worm/eggs will infect the heart, lungs and kidneys killing the dog and there is not cure. Be careful not to let your dog eat any slugs... poor little pooch.

[garner]

Hi daisycup.....The snail also carries a worm which can cause lungworm if eaten by dogs.It wa a topic on here a few weeks ago..Dreadful for the poor dogs.g.

[blackcat77]

Thanks for telling us that - it's always useful to know what to avoid - feel very sorry for you and your friend, horrid thing to happen. As you said, poor little dog.

[MiniN]

oh my god...i was hoping this was a windup. the poor dog, sounds awful.

thanks for letting us know daisycup, i will be vigilant against slugs as my Jack likes to eat anything (moving or not).

[lankeela]

This is far more widespread than people realise, and slugs and snails can carry the worm. I know of someone whose dog was infected after rolling in fox poo. Apparently Drontal wormers do not have any effect on them, but Panacur does. Also Milbemax, (but people with Collie or Collie crosses/types should not use Milbemax). It has been suggested that you change your wormers every two or three times, or alternate.

[lankeela]

Crossposted from a border collie group:

My border collie friend was told when she took Teddy
for jabs (hes a pat dog so has to be up to date) - she would not give him
Panacur as was told it contains Ivermectin - not good for BCs, so gave him
Advocate which also prevents lungworm. In my vets summer newsletter there is an
-Important Notice :
Please note that there have been recent incidents of a serious parasite
infection causing lung worms in dogs (Angiostrongylus vasorum). These parasites
are ingested by dogs licking or eating slugs. Symptoms can be wide and varied
but often involve a cough or unusual bleeding. We are currently recommending
that dogs at risk are protected with a regular spot on treatment (which also
protects against fleas) and that any dogs exhibiting a cough are given a seven
day treatment with a lung wormer. Further literature is available.

Cough could of course be confused with kennel cough which is worrying