Skip to main content

Section

Dogs

Explore expert articles on dogs with Vet Verified.

Lungworm in Dogs in the UK: How Dogs Catch It, Signs and Prevention
Dogs

Lungworm in Dogs in the UK: How Dogs Catch It, Signs and Prevention

Lungworm is a serious parasite that dogs can catch by swallowing infected slugs, snails or frogs, often by accident outdoors. It is found across much of the UK and can cause coughing, breathing problems, tiredness, weight loss, bruising, bleeding, seizures or collapse. Contact a vet promptly if your dog shows any of these signs, and get urgent help for breathing trouble, major bleeding, collapse, seizures or sudden blindness. Reduce risk by stopping your dog from eating slugs, snails and frogs, bringing toys and chews indoors, and asking your vet about prescription lungworm protection. If your dog eats a slug or snail, call your vet for advice and watch for signs of illness over the next few weeks.

More in Dogs

216 articles
  • Flat-Faced Dogs and Heatstroke: Keeping Your Frenchie, Pug or Bulldog Safe in Summer
    Dogs

    Flat-Faced Dogs and Heatstroke: Keeping Your Frenchie, Pug or Bulldog Safe in Summer

    Flat-faced dogs, such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs, can overheat quickly because their narrow airways make panting and breathing harder. Watch for heavy or noisy panting, red gums, drooling, restlessness, weakness or collapse. If your dog shows signs of overheating, stop activity, move them somewhere cool, wet their coat with cool water, use a fan or air conditioning and contact a vet straight away. Prevent problems by avoiding exercise in warm weather, providing water and shade, and never leaving your dog in a parked car. Dogs with BOAS need extra care because they have more trouble breathing.

    By Adriana Silva

  • Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs: Signs, Risks and What to Do
    Dogs

    Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs: Signs, Risks and What to Do

    Chocolate can poison dogs, especially dark chocolate, cooking chocolate and cocoa powder. If your dog eats any chocolate, call your vet straight away, even if they seem well. Keep the wrapper or packaging and be ready to share your dog’s weight, what they ate, how much and when. Do not make your dog sick or give treatment at home unless a vet tells you to. Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, tremors, fast breathing, seizures or collapse. Store chocolate and wrappers safely away from dogs, and take extra care with foods that may also contain raisins, sultanas or xylitol.

  • Dog Microchipping Rules in the UK: What Owners Need to Do
    Dogs

    Dog Microchipping Rules in the UK: What Owners Need to Do

    Dogs across the UK must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old, with the keeper’s correct contact details on an approved database. Breeders chip puppies before sale, while new keepers must transfer the record quickly. Update the database after any change of address, phone number or keeper, and keep the chip number and database name safe. Rules and fines differ slightly across the UK, with dog licensing also applying in Northern Ireland. A microchip is not proof of ownership and does not replace a collar and tag showing your name and address.

  • The Lurcher: A Guide to Owning a Sighthound Cross in the UK
    Dogs

    The Lurcher: A Guide to Owning a Sighthound Cross in the UK

    Lurchers are sighthound crosses, so their size, coat, energy levels and behaviour can vary a great deal. They often enjoy relaxing at home but need daily walks, play and safe ways to use their energy. Many have a strong urge to chase, so secure fencing, careful lead use, recall training and safe off-lead spaces are important. Their food, grooming and cold-weather care should suit the individual dog. Before adopting or buying, think honestly about your home, other pets, routine and ability to meet a Lurcher’s needs for many years.

The archive

Other sections