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A study from the University of Bristol which examined the fox population provides robust evidence to support the parasite’s spread across the UK. The research suggests that the overall prevalence of A.vasorum in foxes is 18.3 per cent in the UK, which is significantly higher than a previous study published in 2008, which reported a prevalence of 7.3 per cent. The South East is reported to have the highest prevalence, with 50 per cent of foxes now found to be infected with the parasite (more than double the previous figure). Even in Northern UK (North of England & Scotland) 7.4% of foxes were now found to be infected despite none being found in this region in the earlier study.1
A separate study has also now declared the lungworm parasite to be endemic in Scotland, following an investigation into the parasite’s epidemiology around the location of the first reported case in a dog in Scotland. The research from the University of Glasgow found the parasite in 6.7 per cent of slugs and snails tested in the Glasgow area. The highest prevalence was 11 per cent in a public park in Glasgow where the first confirmed case of A.vasorum was reported in 2009 and positive specimens have also been found in surrounding parts of this area in which lungworm was expected to be absent. 2
Additional research has confirmed that the slime trail left behind by slugs could present a threat for the transmission of A. vasorum to dogs. The new study from the Atlantic Veterinary College has found that infectious larvae can also be released into the mollusc’s slime providing an alternative route for exposure.3 The shed infective larvae were shown to survive for at least 15 days on vegetation.
A.vasorum is a potentially life threatening nematode of dogs and foxes; they become infected after ingesting slugs and snails carrying the lungworm larvae (L3). The larvae migrate, via the blood and/or lymph, to the heart and pulmonary arteries, where they mature and reproduce; producing larvae which affect the lungs. Clinical signs include coughing, dyspnea, lethargy and coagulopathies, but in rare cases, atypical presentations can occur, confusing the diagnostic picture. Left untreated, the dog’s health can rapidly deteriorate, and can even result in death.3
Donna Tomlinson, Senior Product Manager at Bayer Animal Health said; “This research shows that the lungworm (A.vasorum) is a growing threat to dogs in the UK, which is important for both vets and dog owners to know, because it can easily be prevented. To further improve the picture that we have of the parasite’s spread, we are asking veterinary professionals across the country to record every confirmed case of lungworm on our interactive prevalence map. This map will help identify the key lungworm risk areas and so can be used as a warning system by vets and dog owners. Of course, the best advice a vet can give owners is to protect their dog against lungworm with an effective preventative treatment.”
The interactive lungworm prevalence map is available at http://www.lungworm.co.uk/lungworm-map/
By simply searching their postcode, dog owners are able to see reported cases in their area, or an area they are planning to visit. Vets can also populate the map with suspected and confirmed cases in their practice.
To help educate dog owners about the infection and encourage vigilance of the tell-tale signs, the ‘Be Lungworm Aware’ campaign has been set up by Bayer Animal Health, experts in animal parasitology, offering support and education to owners and vets. For details on lungworm, visit www.lungworm.co.uk.
Be Lungworm Aware is part of Bayer Animal Health’s wider ‘It’s a Jungle Out There’ parasite awareness initiative. You can help spread the word by liking www.facebook.com/jungleforpets or by following ‘JungleForPets’ on Twitter and sharing your dog’s experience with lungworm.
References 1. Taylor et al. Increased prevalence and geographic spread of the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum in fox populations in Great Britain. Parasitology (2015) 142(9):1190-6
2. Helm et al. Epidemiological survey of Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs and slugs around a new endemic focus in Scotland. The Veterinary Record (2015) 177(2):493. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs: continuing spread and developments in diagnosis and treatment, BSAVA Review, December 2010
3. Conboy et al. (2015) WAAVP Liverpool, Spontaneous shedding of metastrongylooid third-stage larvae by experimentally infected Limax maximus.