Moist and wet conditions brings out the garden slug, or snail, and many of our four-legged friends are very curious about this attractive looking snack, including Toy breeds, as Papillons and Phalenes.
The slug itself is not that harmful, but a slimy slug or snail can be a carrier of parasites, which leads to a serious infection in your pet, including lungworm, which may be fatal.
Lungworm disease is difficult to spot since many of the symptoms are seen in many other illnesses in the dog, and therefor miss-diagnosed.
Following are the general symptoms:
- Coughing
- Tiring easy
- Does not want to play, exercise, or walk with you
- Weight-loss
- Poor appetite
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Depressions
- Seizures
- Persisting bleeding from minor cuts
A small portion of dogs are hidden carriers and do not show any symptoms.It also can take a while before symptoms show up heavily, and then it may be too late.
If your pet exhibits any of the above symptoms, have the veterinarian do a test for lungworm. It is treatable!!
Do not use pellets to kill slugs and snails in your yard. They will kill your dog before the snail does!!
Do not leave out toys overnight, or rawhide bones. The slugs leave a trail of slime, and the parasite is carried by the slime.
