THE number of lungworm cases reported in Somerset have been revealed by a website that aims to help owners keep their pets happy and healthy.
Lungworm has been a problem across southern areas of England the south Wales “for some time”, according to the Blue Cross, with cases also rising in northern England and Scotland.
The parasite can be fatal in severe cases – but there are steps dog owners can take to reduce the risk of infection and keep their dogs safe.
What is lungworm?
Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasitic worm that can be deadly if ingested by dogs.
They reach around 2.5 centimetres in length as adults, and they live within the chambers of the heart and in the artery that connects the heart to the lungs.
According to Vets 4 Pets, they are known as lungworms because “they cause mainly lung-related signs such as coughing”.
Dogs can pick up lungworm by eating larvae found in infected snails, slugs, or frogs, and it can cause haemorrhages in dogs’ lungs, liver, intestine, eyes, and spinal cord.
Infected dogs and foxes spread the parasite through lungworm larvae in their faeces, which can be ingested by slugs and snails – which can then infect other dogs.
What are the signs of lungworm and how can dog owners reduce the risk?
Symptoms of lungworm include coughing, changes in a dog’s breathing, a lack of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea, weight loss, tiredness, unexplained or excessive bruising, and pale gums and bleeding.
Steps dog owners can take to reduce the risk of lungworm include arranging regular worming treatments, picking up their dog’s faeces quickly, removing toys and bowls from their gardens overnight so they are not exposed, and changing the water in their dog’s bowl frequently.
How many cases have there been in Sedgemoor?
My Pet and I has created a lungworm map to monitor cases and show how much of a concern the disease is in specific locations.
The map says there have been 186 reported cases of lungworm within a 50-mile radius of Bridgwater.
In Sedgemoor, there have been two reported cases of lungworm: One in Highbridge, and one in Wedmore.
The maps shows there have been four reported cases in the Taunton area, plus one near Wiveliscombe and one near Wrantage.
Three cases have been reported in Ilminster, one case has been reported in Chard, and another has been reported near Ilton.
Other parts of Somerset with at least one reported case of lungworm are Ilchester, Somerton, Castle Cary, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Blackford, Weston-super-Mare, and Langford.
To see the lungworm map, visit uk.mypetandi.com/lungworm-map/.
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