WARNING TO DOG OWNERS OVER COMMON GARDEN PEST THAT COULD LEAVE PETS SERIOUSLY ILL
Source: Echo (Extract)
Posted: April 12, 2020
A warning has been put out to dog owners over a common garden pest that could leave your pets seriously ill.
Dogs could be at risk of contracting lungworm disease by eating garden slugs after playing in the garden, a chemical company has advised.
BASF is warning families at home to be mindful of the increased risk of lungworm when letting dogs play in back gardens.
It warned Britain’s 9.9 million pet dogs could be at risk, as the average British garden contains up to 20,000 slugs and snails.
And because of the warmer than average weather, this number could increase.
PDSA vet Fran Neve says: “Cases of lungworm are becoming much more common and the condition can pose a risk to dogs across much of the UK.
“Once pets are infected, lungworm can go on to cause serious problems such as heart failure, kidney disease, breathing difficulties, seizures and bleeding/clotting disorders.
“Common symptoms include unexplained bleeding, coughing, seizures and even blindness. Symptoms can develop very quickly, and owners should contact their vet by telephone if they see any changes in their pets’ health.
“Owners can protect their dogs form lungworm by making sure their regular worming routine includes lungworm protection that is veterinary-licensed.”
Slugs carry the dreaded lungworm parasite and some dogs deliberately eat the slimy invertebrates.
Animals can also be infected when they forage in long grass and when slugs crawls into their food and drink containers.
The most effective way of dealing with the risk is removing slugs from your garden and the most pet-friendly way to achieve this – other than hand collecting them – is using nematodes.
Nematodes are microscopic, worm-like creatures that occur naturally in garden soil.
Specific varieties seek out different prey species. Nemaslug is the UK’s brand-leading nematode-based slug control product.
It is simply mixed with water and poured around plants using a watering can or hose feed.
