Just back from the vet's. He asked what worming/flea regime we were using. he warned us there had been cases locally of dogs getting very ill from eating slugs and snails. He used lots of big words and I found myself just nodding and accepting the stuff he recommended. He prescribed a drop-on called Advocate that seems to get rid of everything, fleas, worms and these nasty slug-related things. Have vets only just discovered there's a problem with dogs eating snails and slugs? I've never noticed our dogs paying any interest in these things, but I guess you can't be too careful. What is the problem with slugs and snails and what are the symptoms to watch out for if you're not using a special treatment?
Jimmy Williams, Camberley
RICHARD ALLPORT ADVISES:
It's very interesting that there has been immense publicity about snails and slugs since one pharmaceutical manufacturer got its parasite treatment officially licensed to treat lungworm - this is the worm that can be picked up from these slimy molluscs. Lungworms have a two host cycle, this means they have to develop in a slug or snail first; and then the little slimeball has to be eaten by a dog for the worm to be infective to the dog. If your dog doesn't eat slimy things, then there is very little to worry about.
Lungworm infection is quite unpleasant, causing coughing, nose bleeds, lethargy and anaemia. It is treatable when it occurs, but rapid diagnosis is important.
Lungworm used to be a rare condition, confined mainly to the Southwest. There is some anecdotal evidence that it is spreading to other areas, mild winters have been blamed for an increase in slug and snail populations - so perhaps the recent severe winter will reduce the incidence.
It's quite possible that there is more lungworm around. But there are no facts or figures I know of to prove this, and in my opinion no reason to give extra worm treatment unless your dog actually has lungworm.
Beverley Cuddy, Editor says
I'm normally a pretty cynical sort, too but one of our staff's relatives who lives locally has had a dog pick up lungworm in the last year - the dog died not long after. There was no post-mortem so there may have been no link. We've had a few readers report having dogs contract it, too. As there have been cases in our village, I've switched to Advocate as it covers lungworm as well as fleas and normal worms. Tess will indeed eat anything that moves, no matter how slowly!
Dogs become infected with the lungworm through eating slugs and snails which carry the larvae of the parasite. Infections were most common in parts of Ireland, Wales and southern England. However, recent outbreaks as far north as Scotland mean the parasite is now a nationwide threat.
ReplyDeleteLungworm is a particularly dangerous condition as if left untreated, it is often fatal. Signs to look out for include coughing, reluctance to exercise, depression, weight loss, fits, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, paralysis and persistent bleeding from even small cuts. Dogs known to eat slugs and snails should also be considered candidates for a check up with a vet, even if they are showing no outward signs of infection.
For more information, visit http://www.dfordog.co.uk/didyouknow_lungworm.htm
My vet said the same to me when I got my puppy last year, so I too followed his advice and put her on to Advocate, which seems to be the best treatment for lungworm. The point about lungworm, which vets are now very worried about, it that the symptoms don't show until serious damage has been done.
ReplyDeleteApparently a dog only has to lick where a slug or snails has been for it ingest the lungworm larvae, which slugs and snails carry - well, certain slugs and snails, I understand, because it seems that this is a fairly new thing and spreading rapidly.
I think it's better safe than sorry when it comes to lungworm.
Julia Lewis
Just read your article Please Don’t Spread slug pellets on the garden any more you are poisoning your food as well as your the soil try this Pet Dog protector....I like most gardeners suffer from slugs and snails in this damp weather and in fact now that the climate has changed we have the slug and snail problem all year round, I have tried beer traps, copper tape, and wire salt, egg shells, even throwing them in my neighbours garden etc,etc all these methods are not practical long lasting and are harmful to our wildlife. there web page www.slugbell.com they use both Organic or Normal Metaldehyde bug pellets and that the small amount of pellets needed will last up to three months.!!! as they don’t dissolve in the soil and are pet i.e. Cat , Dog and wildlife Safe Brilliant for pet owners , I will try anything to keep my garden looking how it should whilst protecting natures cycle
ReplyDeleteIf you cooked the snails, like, you were eating them, no problem to the dog then i guess?
ReplyDelete