Soggy weather conditions have again provided an ideal environment for a huge increase in the UK's population of slugs and snails, and this could pose a serious risk to dogs that accidentally or habitually eat these slippery pests.

Warbreck House veterinary surgeon, Bryan McVey, warns owners to be on the look out for signs that their dog has, or may be prone to picking up a lungworm infection.

The lungworm parasite spends part of its lifecycle in slugs, snails and even frogs. The danger to dogs arises when small slugs or snails are purposefully or accidentally eaten while rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, or taken when drinking from puddles or an outdoor water bowl.

"The symptoms of the condition are many and varied," explains Bryan McVey. "You might notice coughing, reluctance to exercise, depression, weight loss, fits, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and paralysis, or persistant bleeding from minor cuts. However, a small proportion of dogs are hidden carriers, which means they don't show any symptoms."

Owners who notice any of these symptoms or whose dogs might eat slugs or snails should contact the practice for an immediate consultation. The sooner the disease is spotted, the easier it is to treat and the more likely the dog will go on to make a full recovery.

The disease is not treated by using conventional worming tablets every 3 months, or even every month. However, treatment is relatively simple and a prescription-only spot-on product can be obtained from your vet. "This treatment also controls other worms, fleas and mites, which means you can address lungworm and a number of common parasites in one application," concludes Bryan McVey.