Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
URGENT: Dog eating slug. What do I do? Is it poisonous? Should I go to vet?
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Minorroad · 18/06/2011 14:41
Slugs are poisonous, right? I have sort of hosed her mouth. What do I do? Do I go to vet? She is ok but a bit wet and pissed off with being hosed. I didn't know what to do. I got slug out with my fingers. Please advise asap if we need to go to vet.
Samvet · 18/06/2011 14:44
Slugs are not poisonous. They can carry lungworm so you should get some preventative treatment for that next week. Slug bait is toxic - is that what you were thinking of?
Minorroad · 18/06/2011 14:44
It was a light green one. And plump. I scraped around her mouth with my fingers but she might have some of it in her stomach. I really need to know what to do.
Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit · 18/06/2011 14:45
No they're not poisonous. Don't worry. The worst case scenario is your dog may pick up a worm - assuming you worm treat your dog then there won't be a problem.
Samvet · 18/06/2011 14:46
Lung worm requires specific wormers but this is not urgent! Don't panic!
fruitshootsandheaves · 18/06/2011 14:46
If she is prone to eating slugs you should be aware of lungworm as it can be fatal.
I suggest you do at least phone the vet.
Minorroad · 18/06/2011 14:46
Samvet; thanks, do I need to go to the vet? No slug bait. It was in my garden and we don't use slug bait. I thought the slugs themselves were poisonous.
Samvet · 18/06/2011 14:47
No. You just need to call next week and get a type of wormer licensed for lungworm. Lungworm is very serious but doesn't happen overnight.
libelulle · 18/06/2011 14:48
My uncle once swallowed one for a dare. Admittedly he's dead now, but only about 65 years after the slug swallowing incident, so probably no connection:)
Samvet · 18/06/2011 14:48
Slugs are not toxic themselves, some dogs just find them yummy.
DaisySteiner · 18/06/2011 14:49
Glad dog will be OK. I mis-read your title as 'dog-eating slug' and was imagining something out of a horror film 
DaisySteiner · 18/06/2011 14:50
Can verify slugs not poisonous - our ducks are always munching on them!
meditrina · 18/06/2011 14:50
It's not that different from escargots.....
Samvet · 18/06/2011 14:53
There is a river cottage episode where Hugh fw fries slugs and eats them. Even he thought they were gross.
Minorroad · 18/06/2011 14:55
Thanks for all replies. I rang the emergency vet and he confirmed what you have said about lungworm. I panicked. Thanks so much. I hate slugs! Dog is fine but was not happy at the time at me scraping the critter out.
@libel; your uncle was mental. How much did we win.
Thanks thanks thanks.
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