A YOUNG puppy from Rugby has died after contracting a fatal parasite which has spread to the town – prompting a warning from its ‘devastated’ owner.
French Bulldog puppy Minnie died after complications arose during what was meant to be a routine spay operation.
The parasite, lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum), prevents dogs’ blood from clotting, meaning Minnie was unable to stop bleeding after the operation.
Despite the best efforts of her veterinary team, who gave her blood transfusions and urgent care, she passed away.
The parasite can be difficult to spot as it hides in the heart and lungs and often shows no initial symptoms.
The Royal Veterinary College has confirmed the parasite has spread within the UK from its traditional habitat in the south of England and Wales, prompting vets to urge pet owners to adopt a monthly preventative regime.
Minnie’s owner, Sian Reekie, said: “To say we are devastated to lose Minnie is an understatement. Before her operation, she was well and her usual cheeky self – little did we know that lungworm was secretly killing her inside.
“I had never heard of lungworm before Minnie’s tragedy. We now know that it is often called a silent killer, and this couldn’t be truer.
“We weren’t prepared for what happened to Minnie. We hope her story will help raise awareness of the parasite, as it is in the Rugby area and dog owners need to speak to their vets about how to prevent it.”
Donna Tomlinson, Senior Brand Manager from pharmaceutical company Bayer, said Minnie’s story was heartbreaking.
She said: “Lungworm is now present across much of the UK and Ireland. The spread of this parasite into areas where it was not traditionally found means that it’s so important that we continue to raise awareness of this growing threat, and encourage dog owners to speak to their vets about a suitable lungworm prevention product every month as part of their pet’s healthcare routine.”
Dogs can catch the parasite when they eat common garden pests such as slugs and snails which carry the lungworm larvae – or by ingesting their slime residue on grass, in puddles and outdoor water bowls.
The Act Against Lungworm campaign aims encourage owners to prevent their pets from contracting lungworm by speaking to their vet about monthly parasite prevention plans.
