My beloved dog died eating something you’ll find in nearly every garden – don’t make the same mistake I did
A MUM has been left devastated after her dog passed away after an innocent run round the garden.
Tracey King, 50, from Medway, Kent, was left heartbroken as she saw her pet Chihuahua Ivy take her last breathe – and the reason why will shock any dog lover.
The mum-of-four has been left utterly horrified by the ordeal and wants to warn others to check their garden for a common creature.
She exclusively told Fabulous that her family pup, who had just had a litter of three puppies, had died because she had swallowed a slug.
Like any typical day, Ivy, who was just a year and a half old, had gone into the garden to have a quick run about and came inside.
At the time, nothing seemed out of the ordinary until she started having an upset stomach.
I went to pick Ivy up and she was literally gasping for her last breath
Tracey King
Tracey reveals one of Ivy’s pups had recently had similar symptoms – so figured it was a tummy bug that had passed on.
Ivy was kept an eye on all night by Tracey and her husband Mark, and the dog continued to drink water throughout.
So when Tracey phoned the vet – they assumed it was also a short illness as she was still drinking fluids, Tracey claims.
“At 11am she was still in bed, I’m not sure what time of the night she started feeling poorly, and she was breathing a bit funny,” Tracey explains.
“I was checking on her all day and she was drinking water, I spoke to the vet and they said ‘as long as she’s drinking water, they’ve clearly picked something up,’ but I thought they ain’t really been nowhere.”
Tracey reveals she left Ivy for just 40 minutes – and when she went back to check on her the breathing had rapidly deteriorated.
“I went to pick Ivy up and she was literally gasping for her last breath.
“It was so traumatic,” says the heartbroken mum.
“Everyone was crying… she’s not even two until October, were absolutely gutted.”
The vet has since told Tracey there is a high possibility it was caused by a slug.
“We couldn’t wrap our heads around that,” she adds.
“We’re thinking where has she been with any slugs?” but it turns out it could have been from the garden.
PDSA vet, Lynne James, told Fabulous: “Although not poisonous to dogs, slugs can carry lungworm, which is a parasite that causes severe illness in our dogs.
“Despite its name, lungworm actually travels around the whole body and can cause breathing difficulties, heart failure, seizures, bleeding disorders, and even death.
“Your dog is at risk of catching lungworm if they eat slugs and snails, which can be a risk if your dog eats grass, as slugs can be accidentally swallowed.”
The PDSA vet also revealed her top tips to prevent your dog form eating a slug.
She advised to not leave toys and water bowls outside in case slugs get into them, and to change your dog’s drinking water frequently.
Picking up your dog’s poop regularly will also help to reduce the spread of lungworm as well.
“A simple slug,” Tracey said in disbelief warning pet owners to take extra care when you let your dog out.
“If there’s any water in your garden, tip it away, as slugs often go in there when it comes to night time.”
“She died in a space of 24 hours I’d like to warn others,” Tracey adds.
The warning signs your dog has swallowed a slug
Leading animal charity, PDSA, shared how to spot and prevent dogs swallowing slugs with Vet, Lynne James
- What are the warning signs a dog has swallowed a slug?
In most cases, dogs will show absolutely no signs that they have swallowed a slug, but if the slug carries lungworm, symptoms may develop a few weeks later.
The symptoms of lungworm can be difficult to spot because they are often vague and varied.
Symptoms tend to differ depending on how many worms your dog has inside them and which organs they reach.
Common symptoms to look out for include regular coughing, breathing problems, weight loss, unexplained bruising and bleeding, seizures, collapse and even blindness.
If you spot any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately who will be able to advise on the best cause of action.
- 2. What is the treatment?
Treatment for lungworm depends on how severe your dog’s infection is and what symptoms they have.
Your vet will kill the lungworm with a deworming product and your pet will be carefully monitored during this process.
Mild lungworm infections often only require lungworm treatment and medication to go home with, but if your dog is seriously ill, they may need intensive care in the veterinary hospital.
- 3. How to prevent lungworm?
Preventing lungworm is much easier than treating it – just make sure your dog’s regular de-worming products include lungworm protection.
It’s best to speak with your vet, who will be able to prescribe the best lungworm protection for your dog.
Preventing your dog from actually eating slugs entirely is pretty much impossible, as small ones are often swallowed accidentally when eating grass or drinking, so regular preventive deworming treatments are essential, especially in high risk areas.