13 week old eaten slug

[BiscuitBeast]

Evening all,

My 13 week old boxer ate a slug (and spider) earlier today which my husband and I shrugged off as just disgusting explorative puppy behaviour 🤢 I've just gotten out of bed to let him out for a rather unpleasant toilet break in the garden (unusual as he sleeps soundly through the night) and it got me thinking the slug most likely has caused stomach upset. Just googled and can see that it's quite bad for a dog to eat snails/slugs due to the parasite risk. Should I be making a vets appointment for the morning do you think or is that an over reaction? He's up to date with working treatment.
TIA

Call the vets. In the morning if you don't have 24hr, now if you do.

Only emergency cover now. I shall phone them first thing in the morning. Thank you.

One of my cats has been eating them multiple times a week for the last year (she is only a year old so since she started going out) and is still going strong! I hope your puppy is ok I know cats and dogs are completely different but I assume the risk is the same for both so I hope this reassures you until you speak to the vet.

Main risk is catching a disease where the slug is an intermediary host. If your puppy has had monthly treatment with something like nexgard spectra that should offer some protection but maybe check with the vet to see if they want to give any other preventive/ treatment.

aren't they disgusting? My dog has eaten some horrible things over time.

My daughters 13 week old puppy has eaten slugs multiple times and is fine so far. We have had multiple dogs in the past that have eaten chocolate, raisins, grapes before we knew it was a problem. Im not saying it's ok but I think a reaction is quite quick where there is a problem.

I can't remember the name of what worming treatments he's already had. I'll go though his paperwork before I speak to the vets so we're both clear.

I'm hoping it won't be too many emergency toilet trips throughout the night!

He didn't show any aversion to eating the slug which makes me question whether this was even his first, as there's plenty about in the garden. He could quite easily have been snuffling many down these past few weeks.

Ours had a habit of eating slugs at that age as well! 🤮 Now a slightly more sensible 8 month old and has lived to tell the tale! A bit of diarrhoea the next day but otherwise fine in herself

Make sure you worm him again though - she had a horrendous bout of worms after it, even though prior to the slug incident she’d had a dose a few weeks before

How is he this morning OP?

You need medication for lungworm.

You need a vet, lungworm is deadly

Don’t panic! Just speak to your vet and see if she’s been given lungworm treatment. If not get some. Our vet insists puppies have it over winter months as he says it is a puppy delicacy (ours loved them disgusting creature 😂)

Thank you for all your comments and advice.

He's just had a dose of worming meds from the vet that will target any potential lungworm infection.

He seems fine in himself eating/drinking and playful. Stomach still upset which I'm hoping will settle in the next day or two!