Lungworm in dogs: what it is and when to call a vet
Contact a vet todayContact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. It is a parasitic worm that dogs can pick up through slugs, snails or frogs, or larvae in puddle water or on grass.
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 your 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 and how it spreads
Angiostrongylus vasorum is a nematode that lives as an adult in the pulmonary arteries and the right side of the heart in dogs.[1] Dogs can pick it up through slugs and snails, also frogs, or larvae in puddle water or on grass. It occurs Europe-wide in endemic spots, with cases reported in several European countries.[1][2][3][4][5]
Signs
How pets pick it up
Where in Europe it occurs
| Country | Occurrence |
|---|---|
| Denmark | Present |
| Germany | Present |
| Norway | Present |
| Sweden | Present |
| United Kingdom | Present |
What the experts say
“respiratory signs such as coughing and dyspnoea induced by verminous pneumonia are frequently observed, complemented by bleeding disorders, neurological, gastrointestinal or non-specific signs.”
“This lungworm has been in the news recently as it has infected dogs from many parts of England, Wales and now Scotland.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
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Common questions
What is lungworm?
It is a nematode that lives as an adult in the pulmonary arteries and the right side of the heart in dogs.[1]
Where does lungworm occur?
It occurs Europe-wide in endemic spots, and cases have been reported in several European countries.[1][2][3][4][5]
What signs can it cause?
It can cause coughing, difficulty breathing and bleeding disorders.[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
Other parasites in dogs
Lyme disease (Borrelia)
Skin worm (Dirofilaria repens)Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)Babesiosis (Babesia vulpes / B. microti-like)Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis)Castor bean / sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus)Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
Dog Tapeworm / HydatidFox tapewormGranulocytic anaplasmosisHarvest miteHeartworm