WARRINGTON'S dog owners are to remain vigilant as a deadly pet disease spreads in the UK. 

Lungworm is currently spreading in the country, with more than 120 cases reported in Warrington's vicinity.

If left untreated, lungworm can be fatal to canines.

Nine per cent of dogs that get infected with the disease sadly die from the issues that lungworm causes.

Problems associated with lungworm for dogs can include: coughing, changes in breathing or struggling to breathe, going off food, upset stomach with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, weight loss, tiredness, unexplained or excessive bruising, pale gums and bleeding.

Lungworm is a parasite that can be spread in the environment in a number of ways.

For example, infected dogs and foxes can spread the disease with lungworm larvae being present in the animals' faeces.

Other animals can ingest this, or it can be ingested by slugs and snails - which, if eaten by dogs, can further spread the disease.

According to an interactive map that tracks registered cases of lungworm, there are 123 cases in a 50-mile radius of Warrington - which covers popular walking spots such as Tatton Park, Formby Beach, and Southport.

In Warrington itself there are six registered cases of lungworm so far.

The cases are in the following areas:

  • Liverpool Road, Great Sankey
  • Fitzherbert Street, Orford
  • Wilderspool Causeway (x2)
  • Knutsford Road, Grappenhall
  • Dudlow Green Road, Appleton

It should be noted that a number of these locations are registered veterinary centres, so may not reflect lungworm hotspots in Warrington.

You can prevent your dog from being seriously harmed by a lungworm infection in the following ways:

  • Regular worming treatments
  • Picking up your dog’s faeces quickly. This will help prevent the spread of lungworm
  • Removing toys and bowls from the garden overnight so they are not exposed to slugs and snails
  • Changing the water in water bowls frequently

It should be noted that lungworm cannot be transmitted from animals to humans.