Autumn’s damp, mild weather is exactly what slugs and snails thrive in – and that’s bad news for dogs. Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasitic worm spread by slugs and snails that can cause serious, sometimes fatal illness in dogs, and it’s a genuine, ongoing concern for pet owners here in Ireland, not just a […]
Autumn’s damp, mild weather is exactly what slugs and snails thrive in – and that’s bad news for dogs. Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasitic worm spread by slugs and snails that can cause serious, sometimes fatal illness in dogs, and it’s a genuine, ongoing concern for pet owners here in Ireland, not just a rare or seasonal curiosity.
Dogs pick up lungworm by swallowing infected slugs or snails, or their slime trails – often without their owner ever noticing, since this can happen while a dog is simply eating grass, drinking from an outdoor water bowl, or playing with a toy left outside. The parasite isn’t passed directly from dog to dog, but an infected dog’s faeces contains larvae that go on to infect more slugs and snails, allowing the cycle to continue in gardens, parks, and shared outdoor spaces.
Lungworm is sometimes nicknamed “French heartworm” because the adult worms live in the heart and pulmonary blood vessels – but it’s important not to confuse it with classic heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis), which is spread by mosquitoes and does not occur in Ireland. Lungworm is the parasite Irish dog owners genuinely need to be aware of due to its prevalence and lack of seasonality.
Signs of infection are often vague and easy to miss, and some dogs show no obvious symptoms at all until the disease is advanced. Watch for a persistent cough, tiredness or reduced tolerance for exercise, laboured breathing, and unusual bleeding or bruising – such as nosebleeds, or bleeding for longer than expected from a small cut – which can happen because the parasite interferes with normal blood clotting. In severe cases, lungworm can cause seizures and can be fatal if left untreated.
Lungworm is recognised as present throughout Ireland, not limited to any particular county or coastline, and mild, damp conditions – including the kind of weather Ireland often sees moving into autumn – support higher slug and snail activity, which can increase the opportunity for dogs to be exposed.
Not every worming product covers lungworm, so it’s worth checking specifically with your vet rather than assuming your current routine already protects against it. Effective prevention is available, but only on veterinary prescription – there is no over-the-counter lungworm treatment. Simple precautions also help: avoid leaving toys, bowls, or treats outdoors where slugs and snails can crawl over them, and keep an eye on dogs known to scavenge or eat grass.
There is no 100% reliable test available but there are blood tests that can be carried out in clinic to confirm and also sometimes faecal samples can be analysed but not often reliable as not every faecal sample will have lungworm present in it. If lungworm is suspected, your vet can arrange testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Caught early, most dogs recover well with appropriate treatment. More serious lungworm infections may require hospitalisation.
Thankfully there are many de-worming products available through veterinary prescription that both prevent and treat lungworm if your dog spends time in gardens, parks, or green spaces across Dublin or Kildare and you feel your pet is at risk, our vets can advise on a parasite prevention plan that specifically covers lungworm – not just fleas and the more common intestinal worms. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, don’t wait for your next routine visit; contact your local Highfield clinic promptly, as early treatment makes a real difference to outcome. There are both oral and topical preventative de-worming products for lungworm available and are included in our Pet Health Plans which can be seen on our website or discussed in clinic.
Author: Dr Martha Allen
