DOG owners are being urged to take precautions to keep their pets safe from lungworm after a puppy needed life-saving treatment after being infected with the parasite.
Buzz, an eight-month-old Dachshund puppy was rushed to Elands Veterinary Clinic in Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, when he started coughing up large amounts of blood.
The team gave Buzz emergency care and carried out a blood test which confirmed he was suffering from lungworm disease.
Lungworm is a type of parasitic worm that can affect dogs if they eat infected slugs, snails or frogs, or from eating grass or drinking from a puddle that has been contaminated with their larvae. Lungworm can live in the heart and lungs of infected animals, such as dogs and foxes, and travels around the body using blood vessels.
Thanks to the care and expertise of the team at Elands Vets, Buzz has made a full recovery, and now the practice and the puppy’s owner have teamed up to urge other owners to be aware of lungworm and take precautions to prevent their pet suffering from the disease.
Vet Iona Freeman, who treated Buzz, said: “It’s really important that pet owners are aware that lungworm is active in our area so they can take action to protect their pets. Lungworm is everywhere in the UK, but it’s common in certain areas like the South East and Kent, possibly due to our warmer climate.
“A lungworm infection can be serious and even fatal, but the good news is that there are diagnostic tests and preventative treatments which can be used as part of your dog’s usual flea and worming routine to ensure they are protected. The best thing to do is talk to your vet, who will come up with a plan for your dog based on their individual risk.”
Owners who see any of the signs of lungworm in their pet should contact their vet practice immediately. Signs include:-
- Coughing
- Abnormal bleeding
- Breathing problems
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Weight loss
Iona added: “Buzz is very lucky because he was brought to us as soon as he showed signs of being unwell and we were able to treat his lungworm. We administered a worming treatment, as well as providing fluids to help stabilise him, antibiotics in case of any secondary infection and anti-inflammatories because his throat was swollen due to coughing. He was given a follow-up worming dose a month later.
“Buzz has made a good recovery, but if the disease is left to progress, it can cause heart failure and breathing problems which could lead to a poor prognosis for the pet.”
Buzz is now back home with his owner Abi Moore, who has praised the team at Elands Veterinary Clinic for their quick action to save her beloved pup. Abi was on holiday when Buzz fell ill, and he was being cared for by her mum and her friend Claire Lyne who took him to Elands Vets as soon as he started coughing up blood.
Abi said: “I can’t thank the vets enough for helping Buzz, along with my friend who acted so quickly to get him the emergency treatment he needed.
“The Elands Vets team saw him immediately and looked after him so well, and thankfully he’s been fine since he received the treatment.
“I can only imagine that Buzz ate a slug or snail in the garden, where he plays a lot with his brother Woody, but I also walk them on farmland where we live and the lungworm could be anywhere.
“I wasn’t aware of the increased risk in this area and I’d urge other pet owners to speak to their vets to make sure their pets are protected. One of the most frightening things was how quickly he became unwell, as he’d been fine one minute, then the next was coughing up lots of blood. I want to raise awareness, because I’d hate for anyone else’s pet to be so poorly.”