Pesky Parasites
Article sourced from The Good Vet and Pet Guide and the Blue Cross
Fleas
As it warms up we will start to see more infestations of fleas. Make sure your pet is regularly treated for fleas, ticks & worms.
Remember prevention is always easier than cure!
Lungworm
Lungworm is a parasite that can affect dogs which are passed on from the ingestion of slugs, snails and their trails. Infection with lungworm can cause serious health problems and can even be fatal if left untreated.
It can be prevented by a simple monthly treatment, purchased from your local vet.
You won’t find these products at your local supermarket as they are prescription only.
What is Lungworm?
Lungworm has been a common problem in southern areas of England and South Wales for some time, but the number of cases diagnosed in northern England and Scotland has risen too, so people all over the UK should be aware of lungworm.
How do dogs get lungworm?
Dogs get lungworm by eating larvae found in infected snails, slugs or frogs. They can also accidentally eat infected tiny slugs if they are on a toy or their fur.
The lungworm larvae then grow inside the dog and adult lungworms move through their body to live in their heart and blood vessels. This can cause heart problems, breathing problems and pneumonia but in mild cases infection can remain unnoticed by owners. After about 28 days the worms start to produce their own larvae which can lead to serious problems.
It can cause haemorrhages in the lungs, liver, intestine, eyes and spinal cord but also pretty much anywhere in the body. If left untreated, it can be fatal in severe cases.
Symptoms of lungworm in dogs
Diagnosing lungworm can be difficult because symptoms vary but they can include:
- coughing
- breathing problems
- reluctance to exercise
- if a dog gets a minor injury, like a small cut, it might bleed for longer
- abnormal blood clotting
Vets can also examine a sample of the dog’s faeces under the microscope to help diagnose lungworm, although this isn’t 100 per cent reliable as there aren’t always lungworms present in every sample.
Dogs can’t pass the disease directly from dog to dog but they will pass the larvae in their waste. This then infects more slugs and snails who are eaten by more dogs, so the disease can rapidly spread within dog communities.
Preventing lungworm in dogs
Talk to your vet about regular lungworm treatment and prevention from lungworm, particularly if you travel with your dog around southern England or South Wales.
If you spot slugs and snails in your garden or local parks then be extra vigilant when out with your dog and always consult your vet as soon as possible if your dog becomes unwell.
Can humans get lungworm?
No, lungworm is not known to infect humans. There are, however, other types of worms - roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms - which can be transmitted from pets to humans, so it's crucial that regular worming takes place at least four times a year. Some tapeworms can also be passed on through infected fleas, but this can be prevented with regular flea treatment. Find out more about basic healthcare in dogs here.
Ticks
Ticks can cause disease by transmitting bacteria and microbes when they bite an animal or human
They are common in woodland, grassland and heath areas
Always check your dog and yourself for ticks after a walk and remove them quickly
Ticks are spider-like, egg-shaped, blood-sucking creepy crawlies. They have eight legs and vary in size from about 1mm to 1cm long. Adult ticks look a bit like small spiders.
Ticks are common in woodland, grassland and heath areas, but can also be found in your garden if you live in an area with lots of wildlife. You are most likely to come across them in areas with lots of deer or sheep.
You are most likely to come across ticks between spring and autumn, but they are active throughout the year.
Ticks don’t fly or jump, but climb or drop on to your dog’s coat when you brush past the area they are sitting in.
How do I know if my dog has a tick?
Ticks are big enough to spot. Run your hands over your dog’s body when you get back from a walk to check for any lumps or bumps. A tick will feel like a small bump on your pet’s skin.
They tend to attach themselves to areas around a dog’s head, neck, ear and feet. Brushing also helps to remove them.
Ticks vary in size between 1mm and 1cm long, depending on their age. They look like tiny spiders with a whiteish, egg-shaped body. This body becomes larger and darker as it fills with blood.
How do I remove a tick from my dog safely?
Ticks carry diseases, so it’s important to remove any that attach themselves to your dog as soon as possible. Rapid removal lessens the risk of disease.
This can be tricky, as you need to be careful not to squeeze the tick’s body, or allow its head to get stuck inside your dog. Squeezing a tick’s body can cause it to expel blood back into your dog, increasing the risk of infection.
Twisting them off your dog is the best removal method, and pet shops sell handy tick-removal devices to make this easier. Ask your vet for advice.
Why should I protect my dog against ticks?
Ticks are very good at passing on infections from one animal to another. They feed by biting an animal and feasting on blood. This may take several days. Once they have had enough, they drop off.
Ticks transmit microbes that cause diseases, such as Lyme disease and babesiosis.
Check your dog's body for ticks when you come back from a walk. Brushing their fur will also help.
If you live in an area with ticks, it’s a good idea to use a tick treatment that will either repel ticks or kill them if they attach. Spot on treatments, tablets and collars are available and it’s best to consult your vet about which is most suitable for your pet. Read the instructions very carefully as some treatments are for dogs only and can be very dangerous to cats and can even kill them.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection. If your dog has Lyme disease, you may notice they become depressed and lose their appetite. Other symptoms include fever, lameness, swollen and painful joints, and swollen lymph nodes.
If you think your pet has Lyme disease, contact your vet. They can perform tests and start treatment with antibiotics.
The red “bulls-eye” rash that is a common symptom of Lyme disease in humans is not seen frequently in dogs.
What is babesiosis?
Babesiosis is extremely rare in the UK and the tick that spreads it is so far only found in southern England and on the continent. The first cases of dogs being treated for the disease, caused by the bacterium Babesia, were reported in March 2016.
Babesiosis can be spread by tick bites. The incubation period is about two weeks, but some pets are not diagnosed with the disease for months or years after transmission.
If your dog is suffering from babesiosis you may notice they are depressed, have pale gums, a swollen abdomen and a fever. They may also lose their appetite and their skin may become yellowish.
If you notice any of these symptoms after walking your dog in a tick-infested area, contact your vet and make sure to tell them your dog may have been bitten by a tick. Sadly a dog has died after contracting the disease in Harlow, Essex.
How can I avoid being bitten by a tick?
Dog owners are more likely to be bitten by ticks if they walk their dogs in areas with a high tick population. Hikers and people who exercise in woodland and the countryside are at risk too.
The best way to avoid a tick-borne disease is to avoid being bitten by a tick.
- Wear long sleeved tops when out walking and either tuck trousers into socks, or wear long socks.
- Check your clothes for ticks and brush them off quickly if you spot any.
- You can also use an insect repellent.
How can I remove a tick from my body?
Ticks should be removed from your body as quickly as possible. Be very careful not to squeeze the tick’s body, or allow its head to get stuck inside your body. Squeezing a tick’s body increases the risk of infection.
- Twisting them off your dog is the best removal method, and pet shops sell handy tick-removal devices to make this easier.
- Do not try to burn the tick off and don’t cover it with lotions, oils or moisturisers in an attempt to smother it.
- After you’ve removed the tick, give the bite area a good wash.
If you develop a rash around the tick bite – these often look like red rings around the bite area – or feel unwell, contact your doctor and make sure to tell them you have been bitten by a tick. The earlier you seek treatment from your doctor, the better.
Can I catch a disease from a tick?
People can catch Lyme disease from ticks, just as dogs can.
Lyme disease is serious, so if you walk your dog in areas with deer or sheep make sure you take precautions to avoid being bitten (see above).
Symptoms of Lyme disease include a circular rash, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. Left untreated, the disease can develop into conditions such as viral-like meningitis, facial palsy, arthritis and nerve damage.
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. Remember to tell your doctor you have been bitten by a tick.
Be particularly careful abroad as ticks in Europe can transmit a number of serious diseases.
