what are the symptoms of lungworm in dogs?
April 30, 2010 - 9:29 am
there is a lot of slugs and such where i live and i dont want my dog gettin lung worm, so i wanted to know the symptoms
A parasite, lung worms infect the respiratory tracts of dogs and live in the windpipe where they pass larvae that are either coughed up, spit out or swallowed and passed in the stool.
Treatment of lung worm infections is usually simple, inexpensive and successful, as long as the infection is treated quickly.
Slugs carry a lot of potential dangers including the lung worm larvae, and liver fluke larvae.
April 30th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Usually coughing. A persistent cough.
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April 30th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Dogs are infected with lung worms through exposure to another animal carrying the parasite.
Crayfish and snails are often carriers, as are raccoons, which often feed on crayfish. This makes dogs who hunt raccoons especially vulnerable to contracting a lung worm infection.
Lung worms infect puppies when the puppies come into contact with the saliva of an infected animal, eat the feces of an infected animal, or through their mother’s milk if she is infected.
The primary symptom of a lung worm infection is a chronic cough. Often the cough is worsened when the dog exercises of becomes excited.
While some pets may show no symptoms of the infection, others may become lethargic, not able to exercise and lose weight.
A symptom your veterinarian will look for will be a rise in the dog’s white blood cells called eosinophiles
The treatment for a lung worm infection is usually a three-day prescription of Panacur, a "de-wormer" that is given for other types of parasite infections. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to administer. In a powdered form, you administer the medication to your pet by putting the correct dosage in moist food each day for three days.
If your dog has had a severe reaction to the infection, the veterinarian may also prescribe a three- to 10-day round of anti-inflammatory medications.
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April 30th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Symptoms
Each worm has a slightly different means of making its way into your dog’s body and a different set of symptoms, some more serious than others.
Roundworms are transmitted when dogs eat dirt or feces contaminated with roundworm eggs. Nearly all puppies are born with roundworm–most mothers have dormant larvae in their tissue. These larvae come to life at the end of the pregnancy and migrate into the lungs of the new pups. At their worst, roundworms can cause liver damage or intestinal blockage, and even a light infection can result in a dull coat, dry skin, and a potbelly. (Humans can get roundworm, too, so–as if you need reminding–always wash your hands after handling dog feces, and don’t allow children to play near soil where dogs have pooped).
Hookworms are the most common parasite in the U.S., at least among dogs. About one dog in five has them right now. They’re named for the hooklike teeth they use to attach themselves to the dog’s intestinal lining, and are transmitted from infected feces or even directly through the skin when the dog walks through wet grass or on sand where the larvae are active (that’s one of the reasons dogs aren’t allowed on most beaches). Humans can be hosts for hookworms, too. Symptoms include diarrhea, weakness, and–in severe cases–anemia.
Whipworms are transmitted by ingesting eggs that live in the soil. The dirt gets on paws, on toys, or on food and water dishes, and the dog takes it in. The most common problem is recurring diarrhea caused by the inflammation of the intestine. Serious cases can also cause anemia, dehydration, lethargy, and weight loss. Fortunately for dog owners, this worm doesn’t affect humans.
Tapeworms are long, segmented worms that live in the small intestine. They come in several varieties and are transmitted through infected soil, from ingesting fleas while self-grooming, or even from eating rodents. Tapeworms usually cause very little harm except in severe cases, when the dog might suffer from abdominal pain, nervousness, weight loss, vomiting, or severe itching around the anus (and there’s nothing quite as disgusting as finding a tapeworm segment on the sofa or chair after your dog has been lying there). They’re most common among hunting dogs, as well as cats.
Heartworms are among the most dangerous worms; they can seriously damage a dog’s heart and lungs and can be fatal if left untreated. They’re transmitted through mosquito bites (from a mosquito that’s just visited another infected dog, and brings the larvae with it). Symptoms include coughing, diminished strength, and lethargy. Untreated, heartworm can cause high blood pressure, obstructions in the heart, and even heart failure.
http://dogtime.com/worms.html
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April 30th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
A parasite, lung worms infect the respiratory tracts of dogs and live in the windpipe where they pass larvae that are either coughed up, spit out or swallowed and passed in the stool.
Treatment of lung worm infections is usually simple, inexpensive and successful, as long as the infection is treated quickly.
Slugs carry a lot of potential dangers including the lung worm larvae, and liver fluke larvae.
References :
Animal Specialist Humane Society
April 30th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
We had a lovely rescue boy in that had lungworm that wasn’t picked up for a while.
We had him castrated and his blood wouldn’t clot and his testicles filled with blood poor little man.
Eventually he was diagnosed and treated for lungworm but the affect on the blood took him way down.
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April 30th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Signs of lungworms can vary from a moderate to persistent cough and respiratory problems. Capillaria aerophila infections can cause sneezing and discharge from the nasal cavity. In rare cases, Oslerus osleri have been known to infect the heart’s right ventricle which can lead to lung disease. Often times, veterinarians can have difficulty diagnosing lungworms because they aren’t always present in the dog’s feces. A vet may need to examine the airways or x-rays may be required for proper diagnosis.
Good Luck!
http://www.carewhiz.com
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