Lungworm is in my area eek!

Kimberley

Luckily my Cat will be an indoor Cat he'll still get to go outside but supervised.

~Chameleon~

savemoney wrote: »

I did some digging and apparently cats can get it too if they eat birds who in turn eat some slugs

The lungworm which affects cats is a different species (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) and doesn't cause the same sort of problems in cats as it does in dogs, unless they go on to develop a secondary respiratory infection.

orlao

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

You've prompted me to do a bit of digging about now and I've found this page which has some very useful information about the MDR1 gene defect in Collie breeds. The table of drugs is particularly useful but I doubt it would easily copy over so better I just give the page link for people to read.

http://www.karibunicollies.com/Page_Mdr1.asp

Advocate, Stronghold and Milbemax CAN be used but at very strict dose levels, hence needing a vet to prescribe and treat.

I never knew that collies were so sensitive to certain drugs!!!
I vaugely remember being told years ago to be very careful that the dogs didn't eat any wormer that the horses might have spat out, particularly the collies but I didn't realise that it was that dangerous for for them as a breed:eek:

Thanks for the warning:beer:

foreign_correspondent

ok - I am confused now... so panacur wormer is advised, together with Avocate flea treatment - but not for collie types - well, we have two dogs of unknown parentage so I am unsure what to do...

My mums dog had kennel cough when we got her, and every now and again (rarely) will do just one cough - I think it might be worth panacuring her to be sure..

so, some questions -

is there any way of finding out if there is lungworm in the area?

I have never heard of dogs getting it before, is it unusual and what has created the increase, if there is one?

where do people buy their avocate and panacur from online?

Kimberley

so, some questions -

is there any way of finding out if there is lungworm in the area?
Ask the local Vets, my one sent letters to all their registered dog owners
I have never heard of dogs getting it before, is it unusual and what has created the increase, if there is one?
I have no idea why it's on the increase
where do people buy their avocate and panacur from online?
You need a prescription though which could cost up to £10 so really it wouldn't be worth buying it online but you can get it from vetuk or Petmeds

foreign_correspondent

thanks, will look into it.

~Chameleon~

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

My mums dog had kennel cough when we got her, and every now and again (rarely) will do just one cough - I think it might be worth panacuring her to be sure..

Panacur, or any of the other wormers, won't actually prevent the dog catching lungworm, it only treats it following infection. If you're at all concerned or suspect the dog might have lungworm (coughing is one of the symptoms) then the vet can do a faecal exam to check for any larvae present.

so, some questions -

is there any way of finding out if there is lungworm in the area?

Lungworm isn't just confined to one particular area, it's quite widespread throughout the UK, although there have been higher incidences of dogs being infected in the South-East and South Wales over the past couple of years.

I have never heard of dogs getting it before, is it unusual and what has created the increase, if there is one?

I've read that foxes are predominantly to blame for the rise in cases in dogs where they're becoming more urbanised and, now this is only my own theory on it, since the hunting ban was imposed their population has risen substantially therefore increasing the risk of spreading contaminated faeces. What's that saying? ... We reap what we sow! :whistle:

It would also help reduce the risk if everybody cleaned up immediately after their dogs, including in their own gardens too, as the larvae need to be ingested by slugs and snails to be able to continue their life cycle

suki1964

not just foxes but the rise in organic farming.Organic animals cant be treated as matter of course and can only be treated once diagnosed - already the damage is done with the fields covered in larvae which are then ingested by slugs, snails and birds - and so enter the food chain of the domestic animal

mineallmine

Our dog regularly eats other dogs poo! It's disgusting but they manage to find it so quickly and gobble it's gone. They also eat lots of grass. Said dog is suffering from lung worm, been to vet for lots of worming tablets and advocate. Cannot stress the importance of using advocate enough. It's a small price to pay versus the suffering.:A

foreign_correspondent

Dont know if this is helpful for anyone, but I have chosen to give a precautionary treatment for lungworm, and chose Panacur as both dogs are possibly collie x's.

After doing some research I found that Granofen is the same drug, (Fenbendazole granules) but a bit cheaper. I have ordered some from Vet uk today, and they also have a guide to dose-ing - from a one-off treatment through to a seven day course at a lower dose for lungworm.

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page...products_id=802

I have never used these before but apparently they post stuff out within 48 hours, and regualar first class postage was free, so will see when it arrives!

thanks Kimberley from bringing our attention to this!