Lungworm in dogs – signs and what to do
Contact a vet todayContact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. Lungworm is an infection in dogs that can cause breathing difficulties.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet today
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet
- Keep fresh water available
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine
- Do not wait if it gets worse
What it is
Lungworm infection is a risk to dogs across much of the UK.[1] Severe lungworm infections can be fatal, and infections causing breathing difficulties and seizures generally have a poor outlook.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How vets treat it
- A vet may use a deworming product to kill the lungworm
- Fluids or a drip
- Hospitalisation
- Antiparasitic treatment
- Oxygen
- Blood transfusion
- Medication
What the experts say
“Overview. Lungworm infection is becoming much more common, and is now a risk to dogs across much of the UK. Your dog is at risk of catching lungworm if they eat slugs and snails, which often happens when they eat grass.”
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
What can cause a dog to catch lungworm?
Dogs are at risk of catching lungworm if they eat slugs and snails, which often happens when they eat grass.[1]
What are the signs of lungworm in dogs?
Signs can include coughing, fast, heavy or noisy breathing, weight loss, unexplained bruising or bleeding, seizures, collapse and shock, and blindness.[1]
When should I contact a vet?
Contact your vet immediately if your dog has symptoms of lungworm.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
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