Slimy Snacks: What Happens When Your Dog Eats a Slug

BySavanna Read

As a veterinarian and life-long dog lover, I know the panic that grips you when you see your precious pup slurp up a slimy slug before you can stop them. The thoughts start racing: "Are slugs poisonous to dogs?" "Can my dog get sick from eating a slug?" "Should I call the vet?"

First, take a deep breath. While slug ingestion can indeed make dogs ill, most recover just fine with prompt treatment. However, it‘s important to be aware of the risks slugs pose and take precautions to prevent your furry friend from making a meal of these little mollusks.

Why Slugs Are Dangerous for Dogs

Slugs may be slow, but they can carry a shocking array of parasites and pathogens that can seriously sicken dogs. The most dangerous is the lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum. This sneaky parasite uses slugs and snails as intermediate hosts to infect dogs, foxes, and other animals.

Here‘s how it works:

  1. A dog infected with lungworm coughs up larvae, which are released into the environment via feces.

  2. Slugs and snails ingest the larvae while feeding on the feces. The larvae mature inside the slugs.

  3. If a dog eats an infected slug or even licks the slime trail, they ingest the lungworm larvae, which migrate to the heart and pulmonary arteries surrounding the lungs.

  4. Adult lungworms lay eggs that hatch into larvae, which are coughed up and swallowed back into the intestines to be expelled in feces, starting the cycle again.

Lungworm life cycle diagram
The life cycle of Angiostrongylus vasorum, the dog lungworm. Image: Elsheika et al., 2020, CC-BY 4.0

Lungworm infections can be devastating for dogs. Symptoms may include:

  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lethargy and weakness
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Neurological problems
  • Sudden death

"In the early stages, lungworm can be tough to diagnose since dogs may only have a mild cough or just seem ‘off‘," says Dr. Simon Smith, a veterinarian who specializes in parasitology. "Sadly, we often don‘t catch it until the dog is very ill."

Experts estimate that up to 16% of slugs and snails in the UK are infected with lungworm, and infections in dogs have been on the rise globally in recent decades. A 2019 survey of nearly 1500 dog owners in the UK found that 11% of dogs had eaten a slug or snail at some point.

But lungworm isn‘t the only danger lurking in slugs. These gastropods can also pick up other parasites and pathogens when feeding on animal waste or dead things, including:

  • Roundworms and tapeworms
  • Salmonella and E. coli bacteria
  • Intestinal protozoans like giardia and cryptosporidium

If those potential problems weren‘t enough, many common slug and snail baits contain metaldehyde, a pesticide that is extremely poisonous to dogs. Ingestion of even small amounts can cause severe neurological symptoms, seizures, liver failure, and death.

"I see at least a handful of metaldehyde toxicity cases in dogs every year, usually in the spring and summer," says Dr. Lauren Bowling, an emergency veterinarian. "It‘s heartbreaking because these poisonings are so devastating and completely preventable."

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

Any curious canine can be tempted to taste a slug, but veterinarians report these dogs are most prone to eating them:

  • Puppies and young dogs
  • Active breeds like retrievers, spaniels, and terriers
  • Dogs with a high prey drive
  • Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors unsupervised

"One of my most harrowing slug ingestion cases was a young French Bulldog named Winston," recalls Dr. Bowling. "He was notorious for hoovering up anything he found outside – slugs, acorns, you name it."

Winston‘s owners brought him to the emergency clinic weak and shaking after he had been vomiting and coughing up blood. Tests revealed a severe lungworm infection.

"We treated Winston aggressively with deworming medication, supportive care, and even a blood transfusion," says Dr. Bowling. "It was touch and go for a while, but thankfully he pulled through. His owners are now religious about preventing him from eating things outside."

Preventing Slug Ingestion

As Winston‘s case shows, an ounce of slug prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to minimize the chances of your dog making a meal of a slug:

  • Supervise your dog outside, especially in wet or shady spots where slugs congregate. Don‘t let them eat grass, dig in gardens, or drink from puddles.

  • Clean up after your dog promptly to avoid attracting slugs to your yard.

  • Remove slug hiding places like leaf piles, dense ground cover, overturned pots, etc.

  • Place barriers around garden beds like copper tape or crushed eggshells, which slugs don‘t like to crawl over.

  • Avoid using metaldehyde slug baits if you have pets. Opt for pet-safe, natural options like diatomaceous earth or neem oil instead.

  • Ask your vet about lungworm preventatives. Some monthly heartworm/parasite medications also protect against lungworm.

  • Be extra vigilant during rainy seasons when slugs are most active.

"Honestly, the best way to stop your dog from eating slugs is to keep a close eye on them outside and be mindful of where slugs like to hide," advises Dr. Smith. "Treating your yard can help, but some slugs will always get through. Supervision is key."

What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Slug

If your eagle eyes fail and your dog does manage to slurp a slug, stay calm but proactive. Immediately remove your dog from the area and try to prevent them from eating anything else outside.

"Don‘t try to make your dog vomit as this could cause more harm," warns Dr. Bowling. "If you have the stomach for it, see if you can collect a sample of the slug remains to show the vet."

Call your veterinarian right away to report the ingestion and discuss next steps. They may have you come in immediately or schedule a visit in the next few days. In the meantime, watch your dog closely for any signs of illness like:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Reduced appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
  • Pale gums or unusual bruising/bleeding

At the clinic, your vet will likely recommend tests to check for lungworm and other parasites common in your area, such as:

  • Fecal exam to look for lungworm larvae
  • Blood test to detect anti-lungworm antibodies
  • Imaging like X-rays or ultrasound to assess lung and heart health

If lungworm or another infection is found, treatment typically involves deworming medication, antibiotics, and supportive care. In severe cases, dogs may need hospitalization, oxygen therapy, even blood transfusions.

"Treatment for lungworm is usually very effective if we catch it early," says Dr. Smith. "The anti-parasitic medications we have now are quite good at eliminating them. The trouble is that lungworm can cause a lot of inflammatory damage to the lungs and other tissues, which takes longer to heal."

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, we can‘t keep our dogs in a bubble (as much as we may want to sometimes!) Exploring the world with their noses and mouths is part of what makes them dogs. However, we can take steps to minimize the risks slugs and other garden critters pose.

With close supervision, swift vet care, and a little slug savvy, you can give your pup the best chance of staying healthy and happy. Remember, you‘re not alone – countless dog lovers like me are fighting the battle against slug snacks every day.

By educating yourself, being proactive, and partnering with your vet, you‘ll have more peace of mind next time you take your furry friend out to brave the slimy wilds of your backyard. Together, we can keep more tails wagging!

References

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