Tag Archives: Lungworm

Foliage alert.

 

Foliage alert 

Some plants such as ivy, poinsettia, holly berries and mistletoe can cause stomach upsets. Lilies, including their petals and pollen are VERY toxic to cats. They may brush against pollen and lick it off their fur, which can cause kidney failure. With the festive season just around the corner, the chances of pet poisoning can become higher. Our Winter Newsletter explains some of the other toxic alerts to be aware of.

 

 

The time of year is upon us where sweet treats are a plenty.

With the cold weather setting in, it’s a good idea to start making plans to avoid a Christmas calamity. From string and tinsel to turkey bones – all of these can cause an intestinal blockage and require life saving surgery. Our Winter Newsletter has arrived and it is bursting with advice on how to keep your pets happy and healthy over the festive period.

 

Winter Walkies : As the cold weather really sets in, make sure your pet is receiving enough exercise. If you have a dog, ensure they are ready for the colder weather. Thin coated breeds and older dogs may benefit from a snug coat to help keep them warm and dry. Don’t forget to do regular paw checks too, some salt mixtures on pavements can cause sore paws. Clean and wash your pets feet regularly to stop any sores occurring.

 

 

 

Update on Lungworm in dogs.

Lungworm are swallowed as tiny larvae, which migrate into your dogs circulation of the liver and travel to the right side of the heart. It’s here they develop into adult worms and really start to cause damage. Our Winter Newsletter explains the signs to watch out for in your dog, but more importantly how you can become your dogs hero and protect them from this potentially fatal parasite.

 

 

 

 

We hope your find our Winter Newsletter full of advice to help you care for your pet over the cold winter months. If you have any queries or would like advice on your pet contact our friendly team for help.

Spring 2017

Our Spring 2017 Newsletter

 

Included in our Spring 2017 Newsletter :

   Lungworm alert! Lungworm is gradually becoming more common through-out the UK and can lead to life threatening problems. Lungworm signs an be vague and variable – from a cough or tiring easily to serious bleeding and even fitting, make sure you know the signs. The good news is that prevention is straight forward with spot treatment or tablet available at all four of our surgeries.

 

Rabbits teeth – a growing issue!

Did you know that a rabbits teeth continually grow throughout their lives, that’s why their diet is vitally important to keep them happy and healthy. A good quality diet should make up most of your rabbits diet along side pelleted rabbit feed and fresh green vegetables. To learn more about overgrown teeth and spikes in your rabbits mouth read here.

 

Senior felines & golden oldies.

In their twilight years our cats can suffer from a range of conditions, but they can also be experts in hiding their pain! Read our Spring 2017 Newsletter to understand the signs to look out for in your golden oldie. Don’t forget that cats are very good at hiding pain so subtle changes in diet, weight or amount their are drinking could all be signs of an underlying problem.

 

                           Read our Spring 2017 newsletter HERE.

 

 

Lungworm causes heart failure in a dog

We have recently seen another dog with lungworm infection. This dog showed signs of heart failure, as the worm can infect the large arteries (pulmonary arteries) around the heart. This caused high blood pressure in the pulmonic artery which in turn caused heart failure to occur.

This is a video of the heart with a leaky tricuspid heart valve cause by the high blood pressure. The heart is on its side and the top chambers in the picture are to the right side of the heart. The colour flow shows leaking of blood back across the leaky heart valves. Normally the bottom chambers (the left side of the heart) would be bigger than the top right sided chambers, but due to the heart failure you can see that the top chambers are bigger.

Lungworm is becoming more prevalent in West London due to foxes spreading the disease. It is spread to slugs and snails and if your dog eats a slug or snail or the slimy slug trail lungworm infection may occur. We strongly recommend that owners treat dogs monthly with Advocate to the back of the neck to prevent this disease. Please see www.youngvets.co.uk for contact details of our nearest surgery to you.

Lungworm in dogs

Lungworm or Angiostrongylus vasorum is being seen more commonly in dogs in our region of West London.  It is spread from foxes to slugs or snails, and if a dog eats a slug or snail or licks the slug “trail” it can become infected. This can progress to a life threatening infection, which can cause coughing, lethargy , bleeding or even heart failure.

It can be prevented by a monthly treatment of a spot on to the back of the neck – Advocate.

Have a look at this video which explains the life cycle

Advocate monthly spot on

For more information or to contact your local surgery see

www.youngvets.co.uk

Killer Snails and Slugs

Dogs can pick up a dangerous disease from slugs and snails in your garden, called lungworm or angiostrongylus. It is being spread by foxes to the slugs or snails and if your dog eats a slug or snail, or even licks the slug trail it can pick up the disease, which can cause severe bleeding , and even death.

Vet Matthew Wilson comments ” We are seeing more cases of this dangerous disease each year in Hounslow,  as foxes are very common in our region.  Young dogs and certain breeds such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers are infected most commonly.”

You can protect your pet from this potentially deadly disease with a monthly spot on application of Advocate, which is a vial of liquid that is poured on the back of your dogs neck once a month. This is a prescription only medicine that can be purchased from your vet and is dispensed according to the weight of your dog.

Are you worm aware?

 

Toxocara canis is a common type of roundworm found in the digestive tract of dogs. The parasite can be found in the environment particularly in parks and exercise areas and can effect any type, age or breed of dog. Puppies can get the worms passed on from their mothers can become infected whilst still in the uterus. Many dogs (between 10% – 40%) have this worm present in their body and show no external signs.

 

Toxocara cati is the common feline roundworm, again this can be found in any breed, type or age of cat or kitten. The parasite has been found in 26% of cats. Cats can get worms through contact with infected soil, licking fur near their feet, and eating a host animal such as a rodent.

 

The larvae of both worms can move through the body and cause damage to the animals internal organs. Young puppies and kittens are the most likely to show clinical signs, these would include :

 

  • Abdominal pain

 

  • Diarrhoea

 

  • Coughs

 

  •  Nasal discharge

 

  • pot bellied/bloated appearance

 

If you kitten or puppy shows any of these signs contact us immediately and we will be treat the animal with the appropriate treatment, if left to worsen they can cause serious health issues.

The toxocara worm can also infect humans, this is called a zoonosis (where an infection can spread between animal and human). Although rare the worm larvae can migrate into the human eye. Symptom’s can include vision loss, eye inflammation or retina damage. The worm can also travel to other parts of the human body and cause wheezing, coughing or a fever. If you are concerned please contact your doctor.

 

We have a number of different prevention and treatment options available so ask one of our friendly staff today and we will be able to advise of the best course of treatment for you pet and don’t forget the most important step . . .

 

   Prevention is better than cure so always clean up after your pet has been to the toilet!

 

Dogs can also pick up a dangerous disease from slugs and snails in your garden, called lungworm or angiostrongylus. It is being spread by foxes to the slugs or snails and if your dog eats a slug or snail, or even licks the slug trail it can pick up the disease, which can cause severe bleeding , and even death.

 

 

Vet Matthew Wilson comments ” We are seeing more cases of this dangerous disease each year in Hounslow,  as foxes are very common in our region.  Young dogs and certain breeds such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers are infected most commonly.”

 

 

You can protect your pet from this potentially deadly disease with a monthly spot on application of Advocate, which is a vial of liquid that is poured on the back of your dogs neck once a month. This is a prescription only medicine that can be purchased from your vet and is dispensed according to the weight of your dog.