Vets issue urgent warning about potentially deadly parasite your dog could innocently pick while playing in the garden

Vets have warned dog owners about a potentially fatal infection – which your pup could innocently encounter while playing outside this summer.

While puppies are encouraged to spend time outdoors, experts have urged pet owners to be aware of a parasite common in British gardens called lungworm.

They live in common critters, such as slugs and snails. If your dog ingests one, the consequences can be fatal 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, the researchers said. Vets4Pets.

Dogs can ingest lungworm in various ways, for example after eating a snail or slug, eating grass or drinking water from puddles or outdoor water bowls.

Lungworms reproduce by creating eggs, which hatch into larvae. The larvae are coughed up from the dog’s lungs and swallowed.

It is then excreted in the dog’s feces and picked up by snails, starting the cycle again.

An expert told this Daily record: ‘These creatures can not only cause damage to the vegetation in your garden, but they can also transmit lungworms, a parasite that lives in the blood vessels of the lungs and heart.

‘If left undiagnosed or untreated, lungworm can prove fatal. So don’t hesitate to contact your vet if you suspect your dog has come into contact with a slug or snail.’

There are several symptoms to look out for if you are concerned that your dog has picked up lungworm, including coughing, fatigue and weight loss.

If a dog shows any of these symptoms, veterinarians advise owners to bring their pets in as soon as possible.

Dogs with the parasite can become very sick and nine percent of those infected will die Vets4Pets.

In addition to the treatment, a blood test is available to check whether a pet has the parasite.

There are several symptoms of lungworm in dogs, including depression, weight loss and coughing (stock image used)

Although it is difficult to prevent a dog from being exposed to lungworm due to the large number of slugs in British gardens, there are ways to prevent the health problem.

First, pet owners can undergo regular deworming treatments to prevent parasites and remove worms from the system.

Owners should also collect their pet’s feces from the ground as quickly as possible to prevent the spread of lungworm larvae.

It is also recommended to keep dog toys indoors if possible and to change the water in outdoor bowls regularly to minimize your pet’s contact with the parasite.

It comes after experts from UK-based Soto Gardens and Tails.com compiled a list of four types of spring plants that can cause serious harm to your dog.

Sean McCormack, chief veterinarian at Tails.com, explained By selecting pet-friendly flora and being aware of potential hazards, gardeners can create a safe and harmonious environment for both their beloved dogs and their prized plants.

While daffodils add a vibrant pop of color to gardens, all parts of the plant, especially the bulbs, contain toxic alkaloids that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even cardiac arrhythmias in dogs.

Azaleas also contain grayanotoxins, which if ingested can cause vomiting and respiratory problems. In extreme cases, your dog may need to be put into an induced coma.

Sean said: ‘Some signs that your dog has ingested these types of plants include vomiting and constant dribbling. Shaking and very low blood pressure are also important signals.

Despite their enchanting appearance, bluebells contain glycosides that can cause gastrointestinal upset, drooling and, in severe cases, a decreased heart rate in dogs.

Sean said: ‘Bluebells are rich in scillarens, which are known to slow the heart rate. They also contain toxic glycosides, which would make most animals, including humans, feel extremely unwell.”

Several species of lilies are also highly toxic to all pets, including dogs, and can cause bad mood, vomiting, anorexia and even tumors if ingested. Even small ingestions of pollen or leaves can be harmful.