Lungworm is a parasite carried by garden slugs and snails that, if ingested by dogs, can be fatal to the animal if left untreated. Lungworm is currently widespread across the UK.
To prevent the spread of lungworm and to raise awareness amongst dog owners, science organisation Bayer has launched a 'social petworking' campaign called Act Against Lungworm, which has attracted the support of a number of pet-loving celebrities.
The campaign reminds us that there are two things we can do to prevent our pets from becoming ill:
1. Check the risk of lungworm in your local area (see below)
2. Make sure you know about the parasite and what to do if your dog contracts it
That being said, let's do a bit of learning about this potentially fatal parasite...
What is lungworm?
Unfortunately, many dog owners are unaware of the threat slugs and snails can pose to their dogs, research by Bayer has shown.
"In @DangerousSnail25's feed we wanted to show how easy it is for dogs to accidentally swallow slugs and snails when they play with toys, drink from puddles and water bowls left outside, or eat grass," vet, author and animal charity worker Luke Gamble said. "Although over half of dog owners said their dogs do eat grass, only 11% were aware of the potential risk that this could pose to their dogs, and only half were aware that lungworm could be caught through eating slugs or snails."
Once inside the dog's system, the parasite travels through the body eventually ending up in the heart. If the infection is left untreated, the dog's health can rapidly deteriorate, and can even result in death.
Luke adds, "Unlike other parasites, such as ticks and fleas, dogs may not initially show visible signs of a lungworm infection. We want to let dog owners know that preventative monthly-use products are available to stop the spread of lungworm. Not all worming products are effective against lungworm and monthly treatment is required for complete protection. Pet owners are advised to speak to their vet about preventative treatment against lungworm."
To help raise awareness of the parasite, dog owners and vets nationwide are supporting the national Act Against Lungworm campaign.
What's the campaign all about?
Instagram has been chosen as the main platform for the campaign as one in five pet owners have an Instagram account dedicated to their dog and the hashtag #dogsofinstagram attracts a staggering 750,000 posts each day.
After noting this growing trend and dubbing it 'social petworking,' Bayer created the Instagram profile @DangerousSnail25 to raise awareness of the dangers of lungworm. The account has nearly 3,000 followers already and has accrued more than 100,000 likes and comments in the past month.
The account focuses on a snail, positioned in different situations that can be dangerous for dogs. Take a look:
The campaign has attracted celebrity supporters, including Louis Smith, Donna Air, Ashley James and Julia Bradbury, all of whom want to help spread the word and save dogs' lives. Pictures on the account also include explorer Ben Fogle and vet Luke Gamble who are helping promote the cause and educate dog owners.
Find out more information about lungworm and check the risk in your area by searching your postcode at lungworm.co.uk/map.