A veterinary nurse has warned pet owners that leaving dog toys outside in November could expose their pets to a potentially fatal parasite. Lungworm, spread through slug slime, can be contracted when dogs pick up contaminated toys or drink from dirty water bowls.
Lungworm Risk From Slug Slime
The warning comes as slugs remain highly active during November, and their slime can carry the larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum, commonly known as lungworm. The parasite is described as "spreading across the UK" and is now considered endemic, according to Goddard Veterinary Group.
Veterinary nurse Jade, who has 268,400 followers on TikTok, explained that dogs do not need to eat snails or slugs directly to become infected. She said: "All your dog has to do is go and pick up their toy, play with it. That slime gets in their move, they've got the larvae and that's it, they're infected."
How Dogs Can Catch Lungworm
According to the vet, dogs can be infected by accidentally eating snails, slugs, or even frogs contaminated with lungworm. They can also ingest the parasite by eating grass that contains unseen slugs or snails, or by playing with toys that have been left outside where slugs or snails have trailed over them.
Jade added: "They can leave the larvae of the lungworm in their slime. And all your dog has to do is go and pick up their toy and play with it and that slime gets in their mouth, they've got the larvae and that's it, they're infected."
Leaving toys outside, not cleaning water bowls, or allowing dogs to drink from communal water bowls can all increase the risk of infection.
Prevention and Treatment
The vet urged owners to keep dog toys inside, wash them regularly, and ensure water bowls are clean and fresh. She concluded: "Lungworm is spreading across the UK so please keep your dogs safe, make sure you speak to your vet to talk about what preventative treatment they're on and if they're covered against lungworm."
According to Blue Cross, most dogs recover from lungworm if caught and treated early, though a small number may have lung scarring afterwards. If left untreated, the parasite can cause inflammation, internal bleeding, and organ failure. The charity added: "This might mean your dog needs more treatment, so prevention is always better than cure. Sadly, in some cases, it can be fatal."
Owners are advised to discuss regular treatment and prevention with their vet, particularly if travelling with their dog around southern England or South Wales, where cases are higher.
