Signs of lungworm disease are vague, and easily confused with other illnesses, including: Weight loss. Breathing difficulties. Coughing (especially bringing up blood) Lethargy. Poor blood clotting/persistent bleeding. General sickness. Circling. Stomach and back pain.
How do you know if your dog has lung worms?
Dogs will often cough due to the physical presence of the worms in their lung area. Problems associated with bleeding, such as blood in urine, vomiting blood and petechial haemorrhage (pink blood spots on the gums) may be signs of lungworm. Owners may also notice a severe reddening around the eye – scleral haemorrhage.
What's the best treatment for lungworm in dogs?
Speak to your daytime vet about prescribing a regular worming treatment. These usually come in the form of tablets or spot-ons and are administered monthly. Be aware that not all wormers, particularly over-the-counter treatments, are effective against lungworm.
How long does it take for a dog to show symptoms of lungworm?
After about 28 days the worms start to produce their own larvae which can lead to serious problems. It can cause haemorrhages in the lungs, liver, intestine, eyes and spinal cord but also pretty much anywhere in the body.
Can worms cause difficulty breathing in dogs?
Lungworm could be the threat to your dog's health you never heard of. Unlike intestinal worms such as tapeworm and roundworm, adult lungworms live in the blood vessels of the lungs of dogs. If left untreated, it can cause difficulty breathing and other respiratory ailments.
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