Vets issue urgent warning about potentially deadly parasite your dog could innocently pick while playing in the garden The parasite is widely present in gardens across UK, says Vets4Pets Read more Gardening HERE By Alanah Khosla Published: 09:10 EDT, 9 June 2024 | Updated: 09:10 EDT, 9 June 2024 e-mail View comments Vets have warned dog owners of a potentially deadly infection - that your pup could innocently come across while playing outside this summer. While pooches are encouraged to spend time outdoors, experts have urged people with pets to be mindful of a parasite prevalent in UK gardens, called lungworm. They live in common critters, such as slugs and snails - and if your dog ingests one, the results could be lethal if left untreated.
Lungworms are short worms that live in the heart chambers of animals, and in the artery that connects the heart to the lungs, according to Vets4Pets . Dogs can ingest lungworm in several ways, including after consuming a snail or slug, eating grass, or drinking water from puddles or outdoor water bowls. Experts have warned pet owners about a deadly parasite present in UK gardens - lungworm (stock image used) Lungworms are reproduced by creating eggs, which hatch into larvae.
The larvae are coughed up from the dog's lungs and swallowed. It is then passed out in the dog's faeces and picked up by slugs and snails - hence re-starting the cycle. An expert told the Daily Record : 'Not only can these creatures do damage to the vegetation in your.
