Dog owners across Cambridgeshire are being warned about the growing threat of lungworm, a dangerous parasite that can prove fatal to canine companions. Recent data and a compelling case study reveal the infection is present in multiple locations throughout the county, prompting vets to issue urgent preventative advice.
The University of Bristol has confirmed lungworm’s prevalence across much of the UK, and pet health company My Pet & I has mapped reported cases in Cambridgeshire, identifying instances in Ely, Wisbech, Peterborough, and Pondersbridge. While these locations may correlate to veterinary centre locations rather than infection hotspots, they demonstrate the parasite’s expanding reach.
Lungworm is contracted when dogs ingest slugs or snails – or even the slime they leave behind – that carry the larvae. Foxes also carry the parasite and contribute to its spread through their faeces. Symptoms can be vague but include persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, lethargy, unexplained bruising, and pale gums.
Lungworm diagnosis tests are available through Vets, Pet stores and Amazon.
One recent case involved a six-year-old cockapoo, who initially presented with lethargy and breathing difficulties. Standard treatments failed to provide relief, and it was through a CT scan at DWR Veterinary Specialists in Cambridgeshire that vets suspected fox lungworm – a rarer form of the parasite. A bronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis, despite a rapid test returning a negative result.
Veterinarians are urging dog owners to take preventative measures, including regular worming treatments, promptly removing dog faeces, and removing food and water bowls overnight to discourage slugs and snails. Lungworm cannot be transmitted to humans, but it poses a significant threat to canine health. Early detection and treatment are crucial to ensuring a full recovery.
