The French heartworm is a very thin worm that lives in the small blood vessels of the lungs. French heartworm is found in snails and their slime. Dogs can become infected by eating a snail, but also by eating animals that consume snails, such as rodents, birds, and frogs.
The French heartworm is a very thin worm that lives in the small blood vessels of the lungs. French heartworm is found in snails and their slime. Dogs can become infected by eating a snail, but also by eating animals that consume snails, such as rodents, birds, and frogs.
Symptoms often only appear months after the start of the infection. Infection with the French heartworm causes general symptoms such as lethargy, poor condition, poor appetite, and weight loss. Coughing, shortness of breath, and pneumonia can also be signs of French heartworm. Sometimes there are bleedings in the skin, mucous membranes, and lungs, or signs of paralysis. If there are many worms, they can, in severe cases, block the blood vessels, preventing the heart from pumping blood to the lungs. Dogs can die from a French heartworm infection.
The larvae of the French heartworm can be detected through fecal testing. The Baermann method is used to find heartworm larvae, which is different from the method used for routine fecal testing. Therefore, if an infection is suspected, a specific test for French heartworm is required. Alternatively, a lung wash (bronchoalveolar lavage) can be performed, after which the larvae can be found in the lavage fluid. It is also possible to test for French heartworm with a blood test.
Prevention is better than cure. To prevent infection with French heartworm, dogs should not eat slugs, frogs, mice, birds, or lizards. It also helps if all owners clean up after their pets.
The Baermann method can be used to detect French heartworm in your dog's stool. If the fecal test shows that your dog is infected with French heartworm, we will provide you with appropriate treatment advice. This way, your dog’s health comes first and unnecessary deworming is avoided. Please feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we are happy to help.
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