Lungworm in UK

[EasyToEatTiger]

I read in my dog mag that there is a lot more lungworm around. Dogs can catch it by licking snails and slugs and toads - that kind of thing. I phoned the vet to ask about it and if it is preventable. Worming is SOOOO important, but she said that Drontal doesn't cut it for lungworm. There is another drug called Milbemax which can be helpful. I've only ever wormed with Drontal. Has anyone used Milbemax? The vet said very little about their experience of lungworm apart from a few dogs needing to stay on a drip for a while.

[SnoopyKnine]

Lung worm is horrid.

Dogs get it from slugs and snails, if they eat them, if they play with toys snails/slugs may have traveled over, drink water that slugs and snails have been in, eating grass etc so all dogs are at risk. Dogs with lung worm also spread it as it is expelled in the dog?s faeces (nice!) and foxes also spread lungworm.

So worming is vital.

You can use Advocate but this does not cover tape worm so you would need another wormer to cover this. It is best not to worm together but alternate or discuss this with your vet for the best cover for your dog.

You can also as you have said use Milbemax Which covers roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms, reduction in the level of infection of lungworms and the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs.

Some collies and rough collie types can not have medication that contains Ivermectin (eg millbemax and advocate) so always check with your vet on what is the best wormer for you particular dog. Although this is a very small percentage of these types of dogs.

As owners it is vital that we make sure our dogs are wormed regularly and safely (Can you tell this may be a soap box issue for me!)

We have many dogs brought into our rescue that are riddled with worms and it is so avoidable.

[EasyToEatTiger]

I'll have to find out about our dogs then. They're all collies. We've got some horrid collars in the van for tics which we took with us to Eastern Europe. Do the dogs need a blood test to check about the Ivermectin?

[SnoopyKnine]

Do speak to your vets. There is a blood test to check if your collies are susceptible.

I have collies and mine have all been ok on the milbemax. But I did blood test them first although my vet said the risk was very slight I decided I could not risk it. Collies in rescue have come in with mange and we had no choice but to give them advocate and they were also fine.

more here on problem with collies

more here

[Scuttlebutter]

Snoopy, I wish we had a Like button! Completely agree with you about the importance of regular worming.

We use Milbemax with our three - it's what our vet recommends.

[EasyToEatTiger]

Thanks for the links and the info. Apparently lungworm infections are on the increase and many people don't know that their dogs are affected. I wasn't aware that Drontal doesn't work for this. I'll ask the vet this week and get it sorted out.
I hadn't heard of Milbemax before today. Is Frontline still useful? I've heard that fleas etc may be becoming immune.

[Whoopydofoxpoo]

We use Milbemax - every 3 months - it comes in chewy form which dog thinks is a treat so go downs well !

We also use Advocate monthly.