French Heartworm, Or Angiostrongylus Vasorum

[k4tie-d]

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just found this on the blue cross site.

Quote...

Dog owners are being urged to be on the lookout for a fatal parasite by animal experts.

 

Called French heartworm, or angiostrongylus vasorum, vets are expressing concern that the parasite is spreading throughout the UK.

 

Cases in Scotland have been identified for the first time because of the warming climate, according to scientists.

 

The parasite is found in slugs and snails and if ingested by dogs it travels throughout the animal's body and can cause breathing and heart difficulties and death.

 

Jenny Helm, vet at the Small Animal Hospital, urged owners in Scotland to be particularly aware of the bug.

 

"Dog owners and veterinary surgeons should be aware that the parasite has arrived in Scotland. This parasite can cause serious diseases and death is not unknown," she said.

 

"If owners suspect their dog may be infected with the parasite they should contact their local vet immediately."

 

Infected dogs could have trouble breathing and be bleeding from and into their eyes.

 

To prevent animals ingesting the parasite vets urge owners to stop their pets from eating slugs and snails.

a bit scary, our garden is full of slugs and snails

 

[Louise_Simon]

We had a scare earlier on this year when my whippet was tested for it. We're still not sure whether he did or not, but I had to worm him every day for 4 weeks.

Just to say really, not all wormers cover this parasite

 

[Holliepup]

Scary (w00t) Just in case you are thinking of getting rid of the slugs remember that slug pellets are likely to be even more dangerous than the slugs themselves. My colleague's dog found and ate a box of them in the greenhouse, and despite almost immediate attention from the vet the dog died.

 

[stormydog]

interesting post katie-pal-of-mine :thumbsup:

 

[k4tie-d]

Scary  (w00t)   Just in case you are thinking of getting rid of the slugs remember that slug pellets are likely to be even more dangerous than the slugs themselves.  My colleague's dog found and ate a box of them in the greenhouse, and despite almost immediate attention from the vet the dog died.

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yeah i know, they have never bothered me, but my neighbour down stairs hates them and puts salt down but as we have alotments at the back so they just come over from their. just need to watch the dog more carefully :sweating:

 

[kirsty]

My garden is full of them (w00t) They just love this horrible damp weather we are having. I bought stuff called nemaslug from the greengardner website last year and it did help, it's safe for pets and you just mix with water and pour over the soil. Think I will need to be ordering some this year again :- "

I have already had the stupid moron of a neighbour who I am already at loggerheads with pouring slug pellets all along the adjoining border. I have to watch Megan like a hawk in case she goes and eats them :rant:

 

[doggy182]

My garden is full of them (w00t)   They just love this horrible damp weather we are having.  I bought stuff called nemaslug from the greengardner website last year and it did help, it's safe for pets and you just mix with water and pour over the soil.  Think I will need to be ordering some this year again :- "
I have already had the stupid moron of a  neighbour who I am already at loggerheads with pouring slug pellets all along the adjoining border.  I have to watch Megan like a hawk in case she goes and eats them :rant:

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Think I might try and get some of that, we have loads of slugs and snails and they eat EVERYTHING :rant:

I have been putting out beer traps which work quite well!