DOG owners in Worcestershire are being warned to remain vigilant as more than 100 cases of a fatal pet disease have been recorded in the county.
Lungworm cases are on the rise and have been coming to light nationwide.
There have been 159 lungworm cases reported in a 50-mile radius according to My Pet and I.
Lungworm is a parasite that can be spread in the environment in several ways.
For example, infected dogs and foxes can spread the disease, with lungworm larvae being present in their faeces.
Other animals can ingest this, or it can be eaten by slugs and snails, which if eaten by dogs, can further spread the disease.
And the disease could be fatal to dogs if left untreated.
However, Steve Odell, owner and senior vet at MacArthur Barstow & Gibbs, in Worcester, said: "It is a potentially fatal disease, but dog owners don't need to be terrified, you just need to be aware of how to prevent it.
"It is an emerging disease, 20 years ago it was barely mentioned.
"There are hot spots in the country. Worcester is a medium/lukewarm hot spot.
"There are symptoms you should look out for including; coughing, struggling to breathe, weakness and breathing problems."
Other symptoms also include: "changes in breathing, going off food, upset stomach with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, weight loss; tiredness and unexplained or excessive bruising.
Lungworm Prevention:
Mr Odell, who has been a vet for 27 years, said prevention is the best solution for lungworms.
He said: "There should be an emphasis on prevention, if you look back 10-15 years there was very little that could be done to prevent."
He has outlined some of the things you can do to prevent your dog from being seriously harmed by a lungworm infection in the following ways.
The first tip is to pick up your dog's faeces quickly.
Also removing toys and bowls from the garden overnight so they are not exposed to slugs and snails
He said: "The best people to get advice from would be your veterinary practice.
"Another good prevention technique is to make sure you are regularly flea and worming your dog.
"There are preventative products out there and they are effective."
"You should be able to get peace of mind if you follow these steps."
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