There is a lot of talk about external and internal parasites that can affect our dogs and even us, such as fleas, ticks or tapeworms. In a he althy dog, these parasites may not cause serious complications, but they are always a nuisance that, in addition to the dog, can spread, as we say, to all members of the family, people included. That is why it is increasingly common for caregivers to worry about preparing, together with their veterinarian, a regular deworming plan.
However, there is a type of parasite that is still little talked about, although it is becoming more and more present. They are the lungworms, which have the ability to trigger serious complications, even fatal. Due to its characteristics and potential risks, it is advisable to always keep them in mind when considering the regular deworming of our animal. In the following article on our site, we talk about the lungworm in dogs, how it is transmitted, how the veterinarian can diagnose it and, above all, what is the best way to prevent transmission and treat infested dogs.
What are dog lungworms?
As we move forward, it is usual to deworm our dog against external or internal parasites. The latter are usually those popularly known as worms or worms, which infest the digestive system or the heart. But among the internal parasites we must also take into account the existence of the so-called lungworms. As their name suggests, they are parasites found in the lungs, but also in the heart, and cause different clinical signs, potentially serious and even fatal.
This type of parasite is considered to be is expanding They are diseases defined as emerging, since changes in climate and ecosystems and the increase in movements worldwide favor the conditions for the survival and spread of these parasites.
Canine lungworms: Angiostrongylus vasorum
The species that is usually detected in dogs affected by lungworms receives the scientific name of Angiostrongylus vasorum. It is popularly known as French heartworm. These are small nematode worms whose adult forms are able to live in the blood vessels located in the lungs and also in the right side of the heart. They reach these locations from the digestive system, once the dog ingests their larvae, which undergo different changes inside their body. In addition, it must be taken into account that these larvae can penetrate the walls of the lungs. Thus, the dog expels them from the respiratory system by coughing. In this way, they reach the mouth, where they are swallowed, pass into the digestive system and are expelled with the faeces, in which they survive for a few days. Affected dogs may intermittently shed larvae in this way for several years.
Lungworm Transmission in Dogs
Exemplars of Angiostrongylus vasorum found in the environment infest snails and slugs In them, the larvae mature to a infectious. If a dog eats a snail or a slug, or ingests the larvae that they leave behind in their slime trail, they will contract the lungworm and, as we have seen, will end up expelling larvae into the environment, closing the circle of transmission of the parasite that, therefore, it requires the existence of intermediate hosts.
Frogs can also serve as transmitters of the parasite, which is capable of surviving both on land and in water. In addition, foxes function as reservoirs.
Which dogs have lungworms?
In view of the form of contagion, any dog, regardless of its breed or age, is at risk of contracting this type of infection. parasites. But, logically, this will be greater if the animal has contact with snails and slugs or is still young, since it is considered that specimens less than 18 months old have more possibilities to be affected by lungworms. Perhaps it is because they tend to be more curious, which is why it is more common for them to come into contact with the larvae during their activities of exploring the environment, and because their immune system may still be in the process of maturing.
Symptoms of Lungworms in Dogs
The clinical signs that can be triggered by lungworms when they infest the dog are quite non-specific. This means that they can be compatible with different diseases, which means that the diagnosis can be delayed. The severity of the clinical picture is also highly variable. Thus, some specimens are asymptomatic, while others die suddenly. In any case, a dog exhibiting symptoms such as the following should be seen by a veterinarian:
- Cough.
- Respiratory difficulties, pneumonia and even cyanosis, which is perceived as a bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes.
- Heart failure and tachycardia, i.e. fast heartbeat.
- Exercise intolerance, you may notice that the dog moves less or gets more tired.
- Blood coagulation problems, which will manifest itself with the appearance of hemorrhages, petechiae, ecchymoses, hematomas, etc.
- Alterations at the neurological level, convulsions, abnormal postures, etc.
- Digestive disorders such as anorexia, ie the dog stops eating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or weight loss.
- General discomfort.
Diagnosis of Lungworms in Dogs
Your vet can confirm the presence of lungworm using a variety of tests, but keep in mind that diagnosis is not always easy. The pulmonary auscultation may be normal, but it is possible to detect abnormalities compatible with this parasite through chest x-ray, echocardiography, MRI or tomography computerized It is also possible to see changes in blood tests, such as anemia, an increase in the number of eosinophils or a decrease in the platelet count. In addition, the parasite could be directly visualized in feces, in cerebrospinal fluid or in fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage.
The problem is that many of the alterations observed may be caused by other diseases, which contributes to the difficulty that the diagnosis sometimes presents.
Treatment of lungworms in dogs
Treatment against these parasites involves using an anthelmintic drug to eliminate them. There are several among which the veterinarian can choose according to what he considers most appropriate for each dog. But, in addition to eliminating the lungworms, it is also necessary to prescribe the necessary measures or drugs for the control of the clinical signs present. Therefore, the treatment will vary depending on the symptoms and severity of each animal.
For example, hospitalization, oxygen therapy, blood transfusions, bronchodilators, diuretics, corticosteroids, etc. may be required, which accounts for the complexity of the treatment to be administered and the seriousness of the damage it is capable of of causing lungworm in dogs. In addition, it must be taken into account that the death of parasites can cause adverse reactions in the body.
Finally, the monitoring of the dog includes checks to know if it is free of parasites or if it is still a carrier and, therefore, reservoir. In areas where Angiostrongylus vasorum is very abundant, dogs should be checked several times a year for the presence of this worm.
Prognosis of Lungworm Disease in Dogs
A good part of the specimens affected by Angiostrongylus vasorum can recover, although it will depend a lot on the severity of the damage caused by the parasite. The speed with which you go to the vet and, consequently, the treatment is started also influences. Unfortunately, it must be kept in mind that some dogs will die, especially from severe respiratory complications or hemorrhage. In conclusion, it pays to focus on prevention.
Lungworm Prevention in Dogs
Given the seriousness of the clinical signs that these parasites can trigger, the difficulties of their diagnosis and treatment and their growing expansion, the best measure against this type of infestation is prevention. Thus, regularly deworming our dog according to the veterinarian's recommendations and using a product that acts against lungworms is the best way to protect the he alth of the dog and In general, that of the whole family. Currently, there are many antiparasitic products that we can use. However, if we are looking for an effective method against external and internal parasites using a single product, double monthly deworming is the most suitable. It consists of administering to the dog a single tablet per month that will protect it against the most common parasites in this species, and among which is the aforementioned lungworm. This product is veterinary prescription. So, go to your trusted clinic, ask for the most complete double deworming and deworm your pet.
In addition, it is recommended to establish the necessary measures to prevent the dog from accessing snails and slugs, such as taking it for a walk on a leash, and keeping its environment free of faeces that could contain Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae.
To find out the most common parasites in your area of residence, we encourage you to consult the prevalence map of the Deworm your pet campaign.
