A leading vet has issued an urgent warning to dog owners in Hertfordshire and Middlesex on the dangers of lungworm after a local case caused heart failure in a Labrador puppy.
Charlotte Parte, lead vet at Linnaeus-owned Blythwood Vets, which has practices in Hatch End, Bushey, Northwood and Stanmore, fears the 10-month-old puppy, called Rocky, has suffered permanent heart damage after being infected by the parasitic worm.
She said lungworm was difficult to diagnose initially as many of the symptoms, which include weight loss, coughing, breathing difficulties, vomiting and diarrhoea, are so similar to the causes of other health problems.
Charlotte explained: “When Rocky was first referred to us at Blythwood it was a very unusual presentation as he showed classic signs of gastroenteritis before his breathing and respiratory signs became apparent.
“However, we carried out chest X-rays, abdominal ultrasound, general blood tests and a lungworm blood test. We later referred him for a chest CT which confirmed lungworm and, sadly, his lungs were so badly affected he went into congestive heart failure.
“Rocky was treated with a worming spot on and panacur liquid wormer to kill the parasites alongside a secondary treatment for his heart failure with multiple drugs used to increase contractility of the heart and reduce the build-up of fluid.
“He is now stable and has a normal life again but his heart is likely to be permanently damaged, so he will have ongoing scans to monitor his progress and flag up any potential problems in the future.”
In the wake of this recent case, Charlotte is reiterating the importance of regular, veterinary advised and prescribed, worming treatments as a prevention against parasites such as lungworm.
The Blythwood vet is using Rocky’s case to highlight the dangers of lungworm and to alert dog owners to the warning signs of lungworm disease, which can be vague and easily confused with other illnesses. The danger signals include:
- Weight loss
- Breathing difficulties
- Coughing (especially bringing up blood)
- Lethargy
- Poor blood clotting/persistent bleeding
- General sickness
- Circling
- Stomach and back pain
- Poor appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Behaviour changes (depression, being tired)
- Seizures
Blythwood Vets, which is part of Linnaeus, has practices in Hatch End, Bushey, Northwood and Stanmore.
For more information, visit www.blythwood.com.
