The hidden danger that can kill your dog
Did you know that ingesting slugs and snails is very harmful for dogs and cats, and in some cases can prove fatal.
With all the wet weather recently, there is a huge increase in the number of these critters, and vets are now making people aware of the lungworm parasite which is carried by slugs and snails.
When eaten by dogs and cats, the lungworm carried by the slugs and snails can infect the bloodstream and cause coughing and breathing problems. In some cases the condition can prove fatal. Although dogs and cats would not instinctively eat slugs and snails, they may be present in the water they drink or attached to a toy that they are playing with.
The warmer but wetter weather is perfect for the molluscs, which can harbour the parasite lungworm.
Whilst this is not a new discovery and indeed The BBC published the following article back in April 2010, Slug and Snail Rise Could Prove Fatal to Dogs, not all dog owners are aware of the potential dangers. Bayer Plc are behind a campaign called Be Lungworm Aware. The website provides very clear and useful information about the illness, but of course if you have any particular concerns it is always worth contacting your vet.
Have you had any first hand experience of this with your pet?
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