Did you know Snails/ Slugs are a real risk to your pet’s health?
What is Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Rat lung worm)
Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is a parasite that affects the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves of animals and humans. This parasitic worm is normally found in rats, snails or slugs.
Animals most commonly get infected by eating a host of the parasite, however there is a possibility that by just eating the snail or slugs mucous, that they can be infected.
It’s usually young dogs that get infected as they are inquisitive and more likely to eat snails. Cats are thought to be protected to some extent because of their predisposition to vomit after ingesting infective larvae.
Where does this Occur in Australia? Should I be worried?
This parasite is endemic in Australia and has been shown to occur in around 3% of the snails in Sydney. Most cases are in urban areas such as Brisbane and Sydney but is also seen along the East Coast from North Queensland to mid NSW.
This condition is relatively rare but if your dog is eats snails or slugs there is a chance that they will pick up this worm.
What are the signs that my dog has rat lungworm?
Initial Symptoms
Vomiting and diarrhea can be seen shortly after ingestion. This is probably caused by the larvae penetrating the stomach and intestinal wall.
Subsequent Symptoms
Neurological signs most often occur approximately 11 days after ingestion. The parasite tends to migrate to the spinal cord towards the brain and causes a nasty meningitis. It is a life-threatening condition!
Signs can include
- extreme pain (especially neck and back)
- reluctance to move
- unwillingness to eat or drink
- neurological signs such as paralysis of the back legs
How can I prevent my dog getting rat lung worm?
It’s very hard to guarantee your dog won’t eat infected hosts, but there are a few things you can do to try and prevent the infection.
- Use a regular monthly parasite control to manage lungworm in addition to other parasites. This is especially important if you have a young dog, and it is a common problem in your area. This may prevent the larvae that’s eaten from developing into an adult worm. This is likely to reduce the chances and severity but won’t eliminate your pets risk of getting the disease.
- Non toxic control of snails and slug populations in your garden such as traps. You don’t want to use snail bait as it is toxic to dogs and in addition the dead snail is still infective for a few days after its death.
- Clean food bowl regularly and ensure it is free of snails or slugs and their mucous.
Can I get rat lung worm from my dog?
Infection occurs by ingesting infected hosts such as slugs and snails. While people can be infected with the parasite, it is unlikely to be transferred from your pet. Humans tend to become infected by eating raw or undercooked food, drinking liquids containing the infective larvae or not washing their hands after handling hosts.
A message to the teenage boys or girls. It is not a cool party trick to go around eating snails or slugs. This disease is life-threatening.
Daisy’s Story
Daisy, the gorgeous Cocker Spaniel puppy, was only 10 weeks old when she was rushed to emergency. She was diagnosed with suspected rat lung worm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis). Daisy likely picked up the parasite when she ate an infected slug.
Lucky for Daisy, her devoted new family sort medical help immediately and were fully committed to her recovery.
Day 1
Daisy is taken to our wonderful Northside Emergency Veterinary Services (NEVS). Her back legs were not working, she was in extreme pain, unable to walk and had diarrhoea. She was suspected to have rat lung worm. Pain relief and supportive care was provided.
Day 2
Daisy was transferred from NEVS to the Village Vets Killara Veterinary Hospital for ongoing treatment. Dr Martine Perkins was the vet managing Daisy’s treatment plan. Dr Perkins confirmed Daisy’s diagnosis with rat lung worm. Alongside this parasite, pathology later confirmed she had other parasitic and bacterial intestinal infections (giardia, campylobacter, cryptosporidium).
For the next few days, Daisy stayed with us receiving intensive care treatment in our hospital:
intravenous fluids and electrolyte support
medication to manage inflammation and pain
3 hourly daily feeds
Having her bladder regularly expressed as she was unable to urinate on her own
Regular repositioning to avoid pressure sores (as she was unable to move her back legs).
Initially her treatment focused on reducing inflammation and managing her pain. If we kill the parasite too quickly, this can cause more damage at this early stage of the disease. It is important to manage this disease slowly and carefully.
Day 4
While still in a critical condition, Daisy was stable enough to go home each evening for her family to look after her. She would then be brought back to the hospital each morning for ongoing nutritional support, fluid therapy, treatment and monitoring.
Day 5
Daisy was able to stand on her own!!
After days of being paralysed, Daisy was finally able to stand on her own and even started to try to walk.
Day 9
Daisy’s condition exponentially improves. Her inflammation and pain is well managed at this point and we could now start treatment to kill the parasite. Each day Daisy continued to come in for her medication, allowing us to monitor her level of pain and discomfort. Day by day, Daisy became increasingly lively and playful.
Day 13
Daisy has finished her course of medication and is expected to make a full recovery. Daisy has stolen the hearts of everyone at the Village Vet. She’s been through so much at such a young age. Well done, Daisy!
Final Notes
Daisy will be closely monitored as we slowly reduce her steroid medication. Many dogs can make a full recovery like Daisy if treated swiftly. It is important to note that when the parasite is found early and before paralysis your pet’s chance of survival is significantly higher. Daisy is extremely lucky as she was brought in after her back legs were already paralysed.
