Hi wonder if anyone can help me. My black male labrador, Barney, aged 8, had been unwell for several weeks - lack of appetite, no energy, finding it difficult to walk, drooling and he had also been coughing. We took him to the vet last week and were sent straight to the local animal hospital as the vet said he had an enlarged heart with fluid around it. The end result is that the hospital discovered Barney had a severe lung infection, causing his heart to enlarge. They say his lungs have been damaged by 80% and have put him on a course of antibiotics and worming powder. At this stage they do not know if he has lungworm - they are waiting for the results of one more test. Barney is home now - still feeling poorly - he has an appetite but no energy - still coughs when he is excited. We have to take him back in 2 weeks to the hospital. Does anyone have any experience of this condition - if Barney does not improve we will have to think of our options in 2 weeks time - at the moment he has no quality of life - he doesn't have the energy to go to the park etc but we are hoping he may improve. Any replies would be great!

Hi

One of my puppy buyers from 2 years ago had a similar experience with my baby. Lungworms are a natural part of a dogs life the best way to keep them under control is Panacur wormer, a 7 day course will sort the infestation out.

My buyers were told the puppy had an enlarged heart a hole in her heart, sever lung damage etc etc.

The Lungworms whole life cycle depends on the excess fluid the lungs create in reponse to their presence - they need the dog to cough preferably onto grass where their eggs will be 'slithered' over by slugs and snails who then become the intermediate hosts. The dogs eat or maul said slugs or snails and become infected with lungworm.

After the course of Panacur/liquid/powder or paste you will see an improvement in your dog as the amount of fluid on his lungs will be reduced by the reduction of worms. Usually once the lungs are functioning better the heart will improve too as it's oxygentation is greater ergo less effort needed to perform it's task. Plus by this stage the infection is being fought better by the animals own body as well as antibiotics.

My puppy was only 9mths old when she was seriously ill with Lungworms, fluid was removed from her lungs, she had an endoscope examination of both lungs and a heart scan - but she is a very happy healthy coming up 2 year old now who's owners treat her monthly with panacur liquid as their area is badly infested with snails. After this experience I advise all my puppy owners to use panacur for worming at least twice a year regardless of what their vets have to say. This puppy left me after being wormed with panacur and the vet changed her wormer which led to this infestation.

I'll Keep my fingers crossed for your lad and hope he recovers well from his infection as well as infestation, not nice at any age but especially worrying with a veteran or puppy.

You can also buy Panacur impregnated into a dog treat. Handy to feed :)

Lara I've just used panacur on Kass last week to worm her- where could I get it from in treats?- this would be much better:) Does it still come in various doses though as Kass had 2.5ml to her (at the time;)) 5kg of weight and I have been told that it's strong stuff so you're to be careful when giving it to puppies- better a little less than a little too much apparently?

Stacey x x x

I've seen them on sale in my vets surgery but you must be able to get them from other places. Can't help with the dosage I'm afraid as I've never bought them. They come in packs of two.
Maybe someone else can be more specific?

Thanks so much for your reply - if Barney's lungs are 80% damaged, do you know if they will improve? 80% sounds so much - I just wonder how he will be with this extent of damage.

Hi, Sorry to hear that Barney is unwell. There was an article this week in 'Dog World' about dogs that had lungworm and they exhibited all the signs that Barney has. They were given lungworm wormers by their vets and all made a full recovery! Hope this helps a bit.
Keep smiling and let us know how you get on.:)
Best wishes
Sharon

Thanks very much for your reply - will know later this week if Barney has lungworm - all the tests he had done in the hospital didn't show anything up but as I said, we are awaiting the results of the last test which should be this week. If it isn't lungworm, the vet said it was a severe lung infection but he did say that Barney had probably eaten something while out in the park - eg a beetle/slug which may have caused this.

I am keeping my fingers crossed!

You can buy 'Panacur Favourites' from www.caninechemists.com Dosage 1 tablet per 10kg body weight and it states on the front of the box that it is a wormer for dogs and puppies.

It is also a big treat with a groove in the middle, so half will do a 5kg dog/puppy!

I had the placebos (not drug just the treat) at Crufts and the dogs loved them!