Essex Vet Identifies Lungworm On ET Tubes
8 years ago 
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A veterinary practice in Essex have identified lungworm (A. vasorum) in several dogs following routine clinical procedures.
Forest Vets, based in Epping, tested the endotracheal tubes of one hundred clinically healthy dogs which underwent general anaesthetic for procedures as part of an in-house clinical audit at the practice and incidentally found larvae of the potentially fatal parasite present in four dogs.
The infected dogs displayed no typical clinical signs of lungworm prior to the procedures, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and ongoing preventative treatment against the parasite, which is spreading across the UK according to recent studies.1,2
Vet Glenn Bengtson orchestrated the audit over a two-month period at the practice, which involved testing the tracheal secretions deposited on the endotracheal tubes and looking for the presence of larvae under a microscope. With a 4 per cent incidence in what is known to be a fairly insensitive test, the true incidence maybe even higher.
Lungworm is well established in the region, with Forest Vets reporting a marked increase in confirmed cases over the past five years. Bayer’s Lungworm Map (www.lungworm.co.uk/map), which documents cases of lungworm across the country, reports over 1000 cases within a 50-mile radius of the practice.
Deborah White, Practice Manager at Forest Vets said: “We know lungworm is in the area and wanted to gain a better idea of the levels of infection coming through our practice. However, we didn’t expect to find this level of larvae in the dogs tested. Our vets routinely test for lungworm and ongoing monthly prevention is always recommended for our clients. These findings serve as confirmation that we are giving the best advice to keep dogs in our region protected against this parasite.”
The discovery from Forest Vets comes as Bayer’s Be Lungworm Aware campaign focuses on the risk of lungworm across different areas of the UK, by utilising the experiences of local vets and pet owners who have experienced the effects first-hand.
Kata Berta, Product Manager for Advocate at Bayer said: “This small study adds to the growing portfolio of evidence that shows the need for lungworm prevention is becoming even more important. By talking to pet owners and vets in different parts of the UK, the ‘Be Lungworm Aware’ 2016 campaign hopes to encourage more dog owners into their practice to take action and ensure their dog is protected against the parasite.”
To find out more about the ‘Be Lungworm Aware’ 2016 activities and to view the real life lungworm stories, visit the campaign website www.lungworm.co.uk
The ‘Be Lungworm Aware’ vet campaign materials are available for practices to display in waiting rooms, as well as leaflets to assist vets in communicating to dog owners the importance of protecting their dog against lungworm. These can be ordered via the Bayer Vet Centre (www.vetcentre.bayer.co.uk).
Concerned dog owners can check the risk in their area by visiting www.lungworm.co.uk/map. By simply searching their postcode owners can see reported cases in their area, or an area they are planning to visit.
References:
1.Taylor et al. Increased prevalence and geographic spread of the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum in fox populations in Great Britain. Parasitology (2015) 142(9):1190-6. Helm et al.
2.Royal Veterinary College survey, 1,419 veterinary practices, Kirk et al., Vet Record (2014), 175, 118
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