Lungworm Symptoms
Coughing is the headline sign — but lungworm can show up in ways that are easy to miss. Here’s what to watch for, by species.
The most common signs
Lungworm irritates the airways and lung tissue, so the signs are mostly respiratory. They often build gradually over weeks, which is why owners sometimes mistake them for a lingering cold, kennel cough or allergy.
- Persistent cough — dry or moist, frequently worse after exercise or excitement.
- Wheezing or noisy breathing as inflamed airways narrow.
- Increased breathing rate or effort, sometimes with open-mouth breathing in cats.
- Exercise intolerance — tiring quickly, reluctance to play or work.
- Weight loss and poor condition as the body diverts energy to fighting infection.
- Reduced appetite and low energy.
Less obvious — but important — signs
Bleeding signs in dogs
The dog lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum can interfere with normal blood clotting. Unexplained bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in urine or sudden collapse are red flags that need an urgent veterinary visit.
In livestock, the first hint is often a group of animals coughing after being gathered or moved, along with a drop in growth rate or milk yield rather than dramatic illness in a single animal.
How signs differ by species
| Animal | Typical picture |
|---|---|
| Dogs | Chronic cough; with A. vasorum, possible bleeding problems and collapse. |
| Cats | Cough, wheeze and faster breathing; often subtle, especially in hunters. |
| Horses | Persistent cough worse with exercise; donkeys often show nothing. |
| Cattle | Outbreaks of coughing (“husk”), laboured breathing, lost production. |
| Sheep & goats | Coughing, poor growth in young stock, secondary pneumonia. |
When to call the vet
Any breathing difficulty, a cough lasting more than a week or two, or any sign of bleeding in a dog warrants a veterinary assessment. Lungworm is very treatable when caught early.
Worried about a cough that won’t quit?
The sooner lungworm is identified, the easier it is to clear. Match the right dewormer to your animal with VETR.
Shop dewormers at VETR →