Treating canine lungworm well is mostly about doing the right things in the right order. Rushing to a dewormer before you know which lungworm you’re dealing with is the most common mistake — especially because the dangerous Angiostrongylus vasorum needs a different, vet-supervised approach to the airway lungworms. Work through these steps with your veterinarian.
Step by step
Confirm it’s actually lungworm
A lingering cough has many causes. Before treating, have your vet confirm lungworm using a faecal Baermann test, a blood antigen test (for A. vasorum), or imaging. See our diagnosis guide for what to expect.
Identify which lungworm
It matters a great deal. Airway lungworms (Crenosoma, Oslerus) usually cause a straightforward cough. Angiostrongylus vasorum can affect blood clotting and is potentially life-threatening — so its treatment is longer and vet-directed.
Choose the right dewormer
Fenbendazole is widely used for the airway lungworms, typically as a short daily course. For A. vasorum, vets often reach for a moxidectin-based product. Match the medication to the parasite — don’t guess.
Calculate the correct dose
Use the calculator on this page to get a fenbendazole estimate from your dog’s current weight and the product strength (your VETR oral suspension is 10% / 100 mg/mL). Always confirm the final dose and course length with your vet before giving anything.
Give the full course
Measure each dose accurately with a syringe and give it for the entire prescribed period — even if the cough eases after a day or two. Stopping early is how infections rebound. New to liquids? See how to give a liquid dewormer.
Rest and monitor
Keep your dog calm and avoid hard exercise during treatment. Watch for any worsening — and for the bleeding signs (bruising, nosebleeds, pale gums) that mean A. vasorum needs urgent care.
Re-test, then prevent reinfection
Ask your vet whether a follow-up faecal test is worthwhile to confirm the worms are gone, then put a routine plan in place so it doesn’t return — our prevention guide covers slug control, worming schedules and outdoor habits.
When to treat it as an emergency
Sudden breathing difficulty, unexplained bleeding or collapse in a dog can signal severe Angiostrongylus infection. Don’t wait — contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately.
Treating a lungworm infection?
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