Angiostrongylus vasorum, a parasitic lungworm, poses an increasing health risk to dogs across the United Kingdom, veterinary experts warn. Initially identified in 1866 and once confined to South West England and parts of Wales, the parasite’s presence has expanded into northern England and Scotland in recent years.

The parasite’s life cycle involves ingestion of infected slugs and snails, which carry larvae. Once consumed by dogs or foxes, these larvae migrate to the lungs, where they mature into adult worms. The adults then move to the right side of the heart and pulmonary artery, laying eggs that hatch into larvae in the lungs. These larvae are coughed up, swallowed, and expelled through feces, completing the cycle when slugs and snails ingest them.

Clinical signs of infection vary widely but often include coughing, difficulty breathing, reduced exercise capacity, nosebleeds, bruising, loss of appetite, and neurological symptoms. While mild infections might go unnoticed, severe infestations can lead to sudden death. Treatment options are available and also serve as preventive measures, but use depends on local prevalence and individual risk factors, such as a dog’s outdoor exposure to slugs and snails. Veterinarians are advised to assess each case individually to determine appropriate prevention and treatment strategies.

In related veterinary concerns, feline infectious anemia continues to affect cats, albeit relatively uncommonly in the UK. The disease results from infection by Mycoplasma haemofelis, a small bacterium lacking a cell wall that attaches to red blood cells, causing their destruction and leading to anemia. Transmission was once thought to occur primarily through fleas, but recent findings suggest that cat fights and resulting wounds may now be more significant routes of infection. Flea control remains important to minimize blood loss and secondary infections.

Cats with feline infectious anemia typically present with signs such as lethargy and pale mucous membranes. Diagnosis often requires polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which became widely used in the early 2000s to identify mycoplasma infections in cats accurately. Effective treatments are available once the diagnosis is confirmed.

Veterinarians emphasize the importance of early identification and tailored management plans for both canine lungworm infection and feline infectious anemia, underscoring the need for pet owners to seek prompt veterinary advice if symptoms arise.