Lungworm
Information gathered from various websites and Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia.
Lungworms are parasitic nematode worms belonging to the order Strongylida that infest the lungs of vertebrates. A variety of different groups of nematodes uses this name, some also have other common names; they also have in common the fact that they migrate to their hosts' lungs or respiratory tracts, where they cause bronchitis or pneumonia. The lungworm will eventually damage the lung tissue or airway by causing an inflammatory reaction to the tissue. Ultimately, the parasitic nematodes reproduce in the respiratory tissues.
Lungworms settle in the lungs and windpipe (trachea), causing severe respiratory problems. Dogs that spend a lot of time roaming in the woods and/or on fields are at higher risk of developing this type of parasitic infections.
Dogs become infected with lungworms when they drink water or eat prey infected with the larval stage of the worm. The larvae then leave the intestines travelling in the bloodstream to the lungs, where they develop into adults and lay eggs in the dog's lungs. The eggs are then coughed up by the animal or passed in feces, making them available to be eaten by birds, rodents, snails, or even other pets.
The most common lungworms belong to either one of two groups, the superfamily Trichostrongyloidea or the superfamily Metastrongyloidea.
The lungworms in the superfamily Trichostrongyloidea include several species which infest hoofed animals, in the genus Dictyocaulus.
The lungworms in the superfamily Metastrongyloidea include species that infest a much wider range of mammals, including sheep, goats, pigs and cats and dogs.
Species Oslerus osleri. found in dogs; and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus found in cats.
L1, L2, and L3 are Stages in the development of the nematode larvae.
L1 and L2 are the immature and developing larvae, after going through two moults they then become L3 larvae which is the infective stage of the larvae.
The Oslerus osleri larvae of the lungworm parasite are carried by slugs and snails. The L1 larvae infect the intermediate hosts (primarily slugs and snails) by penetrating the foot of the mollusc and develop to L3 larvae inside the intermediate host. The problem occurs when dogs eat these common garden pests while searching through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from outdoor water sources,such as outdoor bowls or puddles, they could even pick them up from their toys that have been laying about outdoors. Foxes infected with lungworm have been implicated in the spread of the parasite across the country. Frogs can also carry the larvae, presenting a further risk source to dogs.
The general life cycle of a lungworm begins with an ingestion of infective larvae, as described above. These infective larvae then penetrate the intestinal wall where larvae travel into the lungs through the bloodstream. The infected larvae stay in the lungs until they have developed into an adult lungworm. There the adult lungworm produces eggs, when the eggs of the adult hatch they produce L1 larvae. The eggs or L1 larvae that are in the lungs are coughed up and then ingested back into the stomach and released into the environment via the faeces.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of lungworm is coughing and wheezing and weight loss. These symptoms are caused by larvae that remain in the lungs where the accumulation of mucus causes a blockage of the airway into the lungs.
Diagnosis
If your pet animal is suspected of lungworm infection, then a trip to your local Veterinarian surgery is advised.
Treatment
Lungworm treatments Store There are only two products shown in the store at the moment, I will add more as and when, because from everything that I have read about the treatments available for lungworms I would suggest that the best course of action is to discuss your dogs treatment with your Vet as there seem to be greatly divided views as to which treatment is the safest and most effective for the treatment of lungworms.
Disclaimer
I am not a Doctor, Nurse, Medical Professional, Vet or Veterinarian. This blog is solely for information purposes only, please continue to take Professional advice. I share what I have learned or read and I share this information in hopes it will be of help or comfort to someone else.
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