Case studies of lungworm in dogs

Lungworm is spreading throughout the UK, and infection in dogs can have a devastating impact - not only for the dogs but also for their family.

We have spoken with owners whose dogs have experienced the grim effects of this potentially deadly parasite, to give you an insight into the many ways in which the parasite can present itself and how you can protect your dog from lungworm.

Gracie's story

Young Spaniel Gracie’s subtle symptoms caused lungworm diagnosis delay

Gracie was a spritely 1-year-old cocker spaniel from Milton Keynes, enjoying her zoomies and causing no end of entertainment for her owner, Phoebe, until a series of events revealed she had a potentially deadly lungworm infection.

Subtle symptoms were brewing for a while in Gracie. Phoebe had noticed personality changes that troubled her – Gracie had less energy for walkies and playtime and slept a lot. At first Phoebe thought Gracie was just maturing as she approached her first birthday and grew out of her puppy stage, seeing no other obvious explanation.

However, when Gracie began vomiting blood and showing signs of bruising and swelling after taking a tumble off the sofa one evening, Phoebe rushed her to the vet as she realised there was something more going on with her dog. After running numerous blood tests, Gracie’s local practice confirmed lungworm as the cause of her symptoms and started Gracie on treatment to kill the parasite and relieve her symptoms.

Although lungworm primarily affects the dog’s lungs, coughing and breathing problems are just two of the many symptoms that can point to lungworm. Lungworm is especially dangerous because it can also be asymptomatic¹, meaning a dog can show no visible signs and still be infected.

“Pets could have lungworm for several months undetected and it is either detected by owners only when symptoms have become very severe, or if a secondary problem triggers a visit to a veterinary practice,” explains Kim Hart, Gracie’s vet.

Even though Gracie was young, she still took several weeks to return to her normal bouncy self.

“I didn’t know lungworm could be fatal and if it had been left longer it might have been different. Luckily Gracie’s treatment was successful,” says Phoebe, who was not aware of the lungworm risks her four-legged friend was exposed to.

Drinking out of puddles and outdoor water bowls, playing with dog toys left outside, and even chewing grass on walks or in the garden can all put your dog at risk of lungworm. Lungworm is transmitted by slugs and snails that pick up the parasite from the faeces of infected foxes or dogs.

Like many dog owners, Phoebe thought Gracie was covered with a general wormer from the shops, unaware that the treatment did not cover lungworm. Now, she knows that only vet-prescribed monthly lungworm treatment can consistently prevent lungworm infection.

Speak to your vet about lungworm prevention, and check if lungworm has been reported in your area using the lungworm map.

Lungworm symptoms in dogs vary case-by-case, but you can stay alert for some of the more common signs of infection:

lethargy or changes in energy levels - like Gracie, your dog might lose interest in playtime or be disengaged from things they usually love;
difficulty breathing or a persistent cough;
unexplained bruising and bleeding.

Daisy's story

Lungworm: the deadly dog infection that strikes fast

Six-year-old Dalmatian Daisy was a happy-go-lucky dog, always sticking her nose into bushes and undergrowth. But one day she developed a cough and breathing problems, and her health deteriorated fast.

: “I felt so helpless as Daisy became very sick quite quickly,” says Daisy’s owner Lea Chojecki. “She is such a big part of our family and I just wanted to help her as much as I could.”
Taking Daisy to her local vets, Vets4Pets in Llanrumney near Cardiff, they diagnosed kennel cough but had the forethought to test for a deadly parasite, lungworm. Two days later, Lea got a call to bring Daisy back to the surgery urgently.
Dogs can contract lungworm by eating slugs or snails that are infected with the parasite. Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasitic worm that lives in the heart and blood vessels of infected animals including dogs and foxes. As its name suggests, lungworm affects the dog’s lungs, causing coughing and other signs and can make a dog very ill. In some cases, lungworm can be fatal, and younger dogs are especially at risk.
Daisy was started on lungworm treatment straight away and after nearly two weeks her health improved dramatically. Daisy was lucky to survive the potentially deadly infection, mostly due to the infection being caught early.
“The spread of lungworm throughout the UK is increasing and we are seeing more and more cases in our practice,” says veterinary surgeon Delyth Butler from Vets4Pets in Llanrumney. Owners are becoming more aware of lungworm, she says, but many are unaware that it is not always covered in treatments for fleas or worms.
“I urge pet owners to speak to their vet and make sure their treatment covers this potentially deadly parasite. I always say prevention is better than cure,” adds Delyth.
Lea shared her heartrending experience with Daisy to show other dog owners how dangerous lungworm can be. “Lungworm is in the Cardiff area and owners need to know the symptoms of lungworm, as well as how to fully protect their dog from lungworm. Daisy is very lucky to have survived lungworm.”
The symptoms of lungworm can easily be confused with other illnesses and some dogs have no symptoms at all. This is why prevention is so important in protecting a dog’s health.

Gizmo's story

Brave Gizmo fights for life on operating table

Taking a young dog to the vets to be neutered is a routine part of pet care for many owners. But for Gizmo, a two-year-old Labrador from Harlow, the operation was far from routine.

: Due to an undiagnosed infection, Gizmo was left fighting for her life on the operating table.
“As soon as we started the operation, we noticed Gizmo was bleeding more than normal,” says veterinary surgeon, Garrick Ponte. As the operation went on, the blood loss grew more extreme. “Our vets gave Gizmo lifesaving treatment under very stressful circumstances.”
Trying to discover the cause, the quick-thinking veterinary team conducted a blood test and were shocked to discover it was due to a lungworm infection, says Garrick, who is Practice Partner at Vets4Pets Harlow.
Dogs can contract lungworm when they eat slugs or snails or even their slime trails that are infected with the parasite. Once in a dog’s system, the parasite travels through the body to the heart and, if left untreated, the dog’s health can rapidly deteriorate: lungworm can lead to poor blood clotting, which can also make your dog more prone to nose bleeds, bleed persistently from minor injuries, cause bleeding in the whites of the eyes, have bloody stools, vomit blood or pass blood when weeing. It can cause anaemia, which may make your dog’s eyes and gums look paler than usual. In some cases, lungworm can be fatal, and younger dogs are especially at risk.
Unlike other more visible parasites, such as ticks and fleas, dogs may not initially show any signs of a lungworm infection. Not all worming products are effective against lungworm and regular preventive treatment is required for protection.

Minnie's story

“Silent killer” parasite claims life of puppy Minnie

A new puppy is an exciting time for any household, and the arrival of Minnie the French Bulldog was no exception for owner Sian Reekie from Rugby. But tragedy struck when Sian took Minnie to the vets to be neutered.

Teegan's story

Deadly parasite threatens dogs like Teegan across Scotland

12-year-old Labrador, Teegan, was a happy, healthy dog until one day she did something that many dogs do out on a walk – she ate a snail.

: “Although we took Teegan to the vets straight away, over the next few weeks and months she got really sick,” says owner Moira Lang, from Paisley. “She lost a significant amount of weight and got so ill that she couldn’t breathe and was coughing constantly. She was so sick we thought we were going to lose her.”
The cause of Teegan’s health problems was lungworm, a parasite that lives in slugs and snails, and can infect dogs when eaten.
After her blood tests came back normal and Teegan initially improved with treatment, both vet and owner thought the problem was behind them.
But over the weeks, Teegan’s cough persisted and then her condition started to worsen. “We investigated further with an X-ray and more blood tests,” says Beverley. “We even had a cardiologist look at the X-rays, who thought it may be parasitic, so we tested Teegan’s stool and it came back positive for lungworm. This difficult case proves that monthly preventative treatment can be lifesaving.”
“As lungworm is not well-established in this area, it wasn’t the first thing we thought of, especially in an elderly patient,” says vet Beverley Naismith from Abbey Veterinary Group. “But because Teegan’s owner told us she had seen her swallow a snail, we gave her treatment for lungworm.”
After many visits to the vets over several months, Teegan is now back to her old self. “Since her treatment, Teegan has come on in leaps and bounds,” says Moira. “She wants to go for walks now, but she still has a cough and has lost a lot of weight. We should have had her covered for lungworm but we didn’t. I’m just so glad she’s alive.”
Dogs can become infected when they accidentally or deliberately ingest these common garden pests whilst rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass or drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls.
Once in a dog’s system, the parasite travels through the body to the heart and major blood vessels and, if untreated, the dog’s health can deteriorate rapidly. In some cases, lungworm can be fatal. While younger dogs are especially at risk of lungworm, Teegan’s case shows that dogs of any age can be affected.
Unlike more visible parasites such as ticks and fleas, dogs may not show any signs or symptoms of a lungworm infection. However, common symptoms include breathing problems or a cough, or even bleeding.

Lungworm symptoms in dogs

Lungworm symptoms in dogs vary and may even go undetected, as demonstrated by these case studies. However, you can stay ahead of lungworm infection by using a monthly product to prevent lungworm from your vet.

Some of the more common signs of lungworm infection are:

Lethargy or changes in energy levels – like Gracie, your dog might lose interest in playtime, be disengaged from things they usually love or tire more easily.
Difficulty breathing or a persistent cough - like Daisy.
Unexplained bruising and bleeding
Problems with blood clotting - like Gizmo experienced. This can include excessive bleeding from minor wounds, nose bleeds, bleeding into the eye and bloody urine/stools.
Changes in behaviour, back pain or seizures/fits.
Vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and loss of interest in food.

If your pet shows any of these symptoms, contact your vet without delay. Speak to your vet about regular prevention of lungworm.