Bayer warns of increased spread of deadly dog disease

The warning comes as “Be Lungworm Aware” is launched to raise awareness of a disease that many dog owners are uncertain about.   A recent survey[i] of 1,000 UK dog owners has revealed that the majority (84 per cent) admit not being able to identify the symptoms of lungworm in their dog, despite a study issued by the Royal Veterinary College, London, warning of its spread across the country.  The study[ii] has shown the parasite is spreading beyond the traditional geographic distribution with 36 per cent of veterinary practices across the country reporting at least one case of lungworm in the past year. 

Lungworm is a parasite that dogs become infected with after eating common garden slugs and snails carrying the larvae.  Once inside the dog’s system, the parasite travels through the body eventually ending up in the heart. If the infection is left untreated, the dog’s health can rapidly deteriorate, often resulting in death.

Bayer Animal Health group product manager, Caroline Braidwood, said: “Once seen as a problem in isolated areas, lungworm has spread in the UK.  While dog owners are becoming more aware of lungworm, there is still a real lack of understanding as to the warning signs associated with the condition.”

Dogs are naturally inquisitive and are frequently keen to test new things out with their mouths, as 59 per cent of UK dog owners admit their animal has eaten something it shouldn’t have.

Caroline Braidwood continued: “Dogs which have picked up a lungworm infection can show a number of different symptoms. Lungworm often gives rise to breathing difficulties, ranging from a lack of energy to coughing.  Dogs may also show general signs of being unwell including weight loss, reduced appetite and vomiting.  Persistent bleeding, even from minor cuts is also a sign to watch out for.  However, the symptoms can be varied and some dogs may appear healthy in the early stages of infection, so if owners are concerned about their dog’s health, they should contact their veterinary practice for further advice.”

More information about Lungworm is available from the “Be Lungworm Aware” website, www.lungworm.co.uk.

ENDS

[i] Opinion Matters, January 2012, 1,000 dog owners

[ii] Royal Veterinary College survey 2012, 1,419 veterinary practices

Notes to Editors

About Bayer HealthCare

The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 17.2 billion (2011), is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Bayer HealthCare has a global workforce of 55,700 employees (Dec 31, 2011) and is represented in more than 100 countries. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.

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In fiscal 2010, Bayer in the UK and Ireland, employed more than 1,200 people and had sales of £770m. Bayer’s offices are in Newbury (head office), Cambridge, Dublin, Uxbridge, Sheffield and Norwich. For more information, go to www.bayer.co.uk

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Andrea Postles

Tel: 01635 563031

Email: Andrea.postles@bayer.com