The lungworms in the superfamily Trichostrongyloidea include several species in the genus Dictyocaulus which infest hoofed animals, including most common domestic species. Different species are found in cattle and deer (D. viviparus), donkeys and horses (D. arnfeldi), and sheep and goats (D. filaria). These animals have direct life-cycles. The lungworms in the superfamily Metastrongyloidea include species that infest a wider range of mammals, including sheep, goats and pigs but also cats and dogs. These include Metastrongylus apri, found in pigs; Oslerus osleri found in dogs; and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus found in cats. Some of these have indirect, and complex, life-cycles; several of them involve slugs or snails as intermediate hosts, where the habit of sniffing at slug trails, or even licking them, causes the parasite egg to enter the dog's respiratory tract. In the case of A. abstrusus the cat is normally infected by eating a bird or rodent that has itself eaten the original host. 

Lifecycle 
Dogs of all ages and breeds can become infected with lungworm. However, younger dogs seem to be more prone to picking up the parasite. Dogs known to eat slugs and snails should also be considered high risk. Dogs infected with lungworm spread the parasite into the environment, as the larvae of the parasite are expelled in the dog’s faeces. This increases the chances of other dogs becoming infected. 

Lungworm infections can result in a number of different signs which may easily be confused with other illnesses. If your dog is displaying any of the signs below, consult your veterinary surgeon immediately. 

The general life cycle of a lungworm begins with an ingestion of infected larvae. The infected larvae then penetrate the intestinal wall where larvae migrate into the lungs through the bloodstream. The infected larvae reside in the lungs until the development into adult larvae. The eggs of the adult larvae hatch thus producing lungworm. These eggs that reside in the lungs are coughed up and then ingested back into the stomach and then into feces. 

Symptoms 
The most common symptom is coughing and other typical symptoms are wheezing and weight loss. These symptoms are caused by larvae that reside in the lungs where immunity develops and the accumulation of mucus cause blockage of the airway into the lungs. Other symptoms are breathing problems, tiring easily, poor blood clotting, 
excessive bleeding from even minor wounds/cuts, nose bleeds, bleeding into the eye, anaemia (paleness around the eyes gums), general sickness, weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, changes in behaviour. There are some dogs which don’t initially show outward signs of lungworm infection. Your veterinary surgeon can perform tests which may help detect if your dog is infected with the lungworm parasite, if you are concerned. 

Diagnosis 
If an animal is suspected of lungworm infection, there are many ways to detect this parasitic infection such as performing one or more of the following techniques: a complete medical history including lung auscultation (stethoscope examination), doing a chest xray, examination of fecal examination for detection of ova or larvae, examination of respiratory secretions for ova or larvae, and/or a complete blood count (CBC) to check for signs of increase in eosinophils 

Treatment 
Thankfully, treatment of lungworm infection in dogs is widely available and easy to administer. Once diagnosed and treated, most dogs make a full recovery. The key to successful treatment is taking action early. Your vet can prescribe a specific spot-on solution to treat this parasite, which is applied to the back of the neck. 
Applied monthly this product can also prevent the establishment of infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum. Speak to your veterinary surgeon for further advice. 
If you are concerned your dog has picked up, or is at risk from, picking up a lungworm infection, speak to your veterinary surgeon without delay. 

Lungworm infestations can cause significant distress to the animal but are usually treatable with drugs. Oxibendazole is commonly used as a prophylactic against these and other nematode infestations. 

If infected with lungworm parasite, an anti-parasite drug must be administered. 

In the case of a severe reaction, an anti-inflammatory drug of corticosteroids may be given for a brief period (3 to 10 days). 

To treat tissue inflammation, Prednisone is usually given (5–10 days). However, there are some side effects such as increased urination or appetite. 

The drug fenbendazole is usually administer to kill the parasite. It is very safe and does not harm the animal. 

There are several different Lungworm parasites that have been identified. Although they all originate from the lungworm parasite, they are treated somewhat differently and requires a combination of various drugs to treat the parasite: 
- Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Treatment Take Fenbendazole (Panacur) for 10 days and Ivermectin for 3 days to 5 days. 
- Paragonimus kellicotti Treatment Take Fenbendazole (Panacur) for 10 days, Praziquantel (Droncit) every 8 hours for 2 days, Albendazole every 12 hours for 10 to 20 days, and then Ivermectin two treatments, 2 weeks apart. 
- Capillaria aerophilia Treatment Take Fenbendazole (Panacur) for 10 days , Albendazole for 10 to 20 days, and Ivermectin one or two doses 

Prevention 
It is important to recognise that lungworm is not prevented or treated by the conventional use of worming tablets when given every three months, or even every month. 

An effective way to minimize the risk of spreading this disesase is to control the roaming and hunting of cats allowed outdoors. 

It is very important to administer all veterinary prescribed medication and contact your veterinarian of any problems. 

Repeat chest X-rays in 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Also, recheck a fecal sample to monitor for the presence of larvae or ova in 2 to 4 weeks. This will confirm if the parasite is still living inside the respiratory tissue. 
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FAQs 
Q. Can humans become infected with the lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum? 
A. No. This type of lungworm is not known to infect humans. However, dogs and cats can carry roundworms which can be passed on to people, so make sure you keep your pet’s parasite protection programme up to date. 

Q. Is Angiostrongylus vasorum the only lungworm that can infect my dog? 
A. No. Other lungworms can infect your dog. If you are concerned in any way that your dog is unwell, seek veterinary advice. 

Q. Can my cat become infected with lungworm? 
A. Cats can become infected with another type of lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus). However, infections seem to be rare and the outcome tends not to be as severe as in dogs. If you are worried that your cat may be showing symptoms similar to those described to the dog (particularly coughing), speak to your vet for advice. 

Q. Can one dog infect another dog? 
A. Not directly, as the parasite is only infective after first developing inside a slug or snail. However if two or more dogs share the same environment and one is found to be infected, the others may be at high risk due to exposure to the same surroundings. NB: It is always advisable to clear up your dog's faeces.