Last Week: HOW TO Save Money on Your Vet Bill
Lungworms are a parasitic worm (nematode) that settles in the lungs and windpipe (trachea) of your dog, leading to severe respiratory problems.
According to petplace.com, “Outdoor pets in certain geographic areas of North America and elsewhere are predisposed to respiratory parasites. Infection typically occurs from exposure to the hosts that carry the parasite. The lung fluke (Paragonimus) is found near lakes that harbor the intermediate host (crayfish and snails) or the raccoons that eat them. Dogs that hunt and eat raccoon meat may be at risk.”
Your dog can become infected with lungworms by ingesting an animal that is a “host” to a lungworm during any part of its life cycle.
PetMD.com states, “Signs are not severe unless there are large numbers of larvae living in the airways. Minor infections that do not cause any signs are also possible. Dogs that have been previously infected with lungworms have a degree of immunity and may be able to fight off a re-infection if the load is not too great.”
What Causes Lungworms?
PetMD.com says, “Dogs become infected with lungworms when they drink water or eat prey infected with the larval stage of the worm. The larvae then migrate out of the intestines via the bloodstream to the lungs, where they develop into adult worms and lay eggs in the host’s lungs. The eggs are then coughed up by the animal or passed in feces, which may then be eaten by birds, rodents, snails or other pets.”
Puppies can also get infected through their mother when she licks them or by ingesting feces from an infected dog.
Petplace.com lists the species each type of lungworm affects, the life-cycle of each and the geographical distribution:
Paragonimus kellicotti affects dogs and during its lifecycle, the intermediate hosts are the crayfish and snail. The transport host is the raccoon. The geographical distribution is North America.
Capillaria aerophilia has a direct lifecycle. Its geographical distribution is North America.
Osleri and Filaroides both affect dogs and each has a direct lifecycle. The geographical location of each is worldwide.
What are the Symptoms of Lungworms?
According to petMD.com, “There are several species of worm that can migrate to the lungs of animals, causing coughing and shortness of breath. The parasite most commonly seen in dogs is the Oslerus osleri. Adult worms create nodules in the windpipe of the animal and lay eggs. The larvae that hatch cause reactions in the airways, leading to obstruction of breathing.”
Complications can lead to more serious problems such as:
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Bronchitis
Emphysema
Fluid build-up in the lungs
Petplace.com mentions, “The symptoms for lungworm infections depend on the specific parasite, the severity of the infection and the host response. Some pets with mild infections are normal, while other pets will exhibit a cough, lethargy, exercise intolerance and weight loss.”
How are Lungworms Diagnosed?
According to PetMD, here are the tests that will help diagnose lungworms:
Physical examination (lung auscultation) and history
Chest X-rays
Fecal examination for eggs
Complete blood count (CBC)
Examination of fluid from lungs (tracheal wash)
How are Lungworms Treated?
PetMD.com states, “Lungworms are treatable with anti-parasitic (anthelminthic) medications such as Fenbendazole.
These medications should eradicate the worms over time and will help clear your dog of the infection. In severe cases, where secondary infections and lung damage have occurred, other medications such as corticosteroids or antibiotics may be necessary to help your pet recover, according to PetMD.
How Can I Prevent Lungworms?
Petplace.com warns, “Minimize the chance of re-occurrence by eliminating exposure to the host. Prevent your pet from hunting or scavenging infected crayfish or snails.”
Repeat chest X-rays in about two weeks and then again at four weeks to check for improvement.
Be sure to recheck fecal samples in order to monitor for further development of larvae or ova in two to four weeks as well.
“The prognosis is good for full recovery, unless the problem has been ignored or untreated for many months (or years), in which case permanent lung scar tissue may form. If severe changes have occurred to the lungs, a residual cough may be present,” petplace.com warns.
Capcvet.org notes, “Although most of these nematodes do not infect people, there have been rare reports of human infections with E. aerophilus in Russia and Morocco.”
The only effective preventative is to control the roaming and hunting of dogs allowed outdoors. In the case of Osleri infection, the mother should also be treated for the tracheal worm, according to petplace.com.
Find A Vet HOW TO articles are intended for informational purposes only. You should always consult with your veterinarian about any health issues affecting your dog.
PHOTOS: Dan Harrelson, $holydevil, pocketwiley
Category : HOW TO
