Handling worm incursion in your dog

Dogs, be it, adult, seniors or puppies, need regular deworming to get rid of possible parasitic worms harboring inside their bodies. The case is especially true since practically all dogs face the challenge of intestinal works at one point in their lives. Likewise, such a tiny fact means increased importance of catering to your dog’s deworming process.

Worms in dogs

Just like humans, dogs are also prone to intestinal parasites that are easily transmitted through the surroundings. For instance, the soil, water or food that the dog comes into contact with may have the worm infection in them. Typically, the scenario would have another infected dog or animal passing stool infested with the worms. If the dog eats anything that comes into contact with the stool, then the worms are transferred.

Perhaps much less unknowingly, pregnant or nursing female dogs can pass the worms into their puppies. Roundworms, especially, are the biggest culprits in worm infestations in puppies through their mothers.

In addition, flea bites can also be a source of worm infestation particularly tapeworms in dogs. Since fleas do feed on tapeworm eggs, a bite can easily introduce tapeworm infestation in your dog’s intestinal tract.

Noticing the signs

Likewise, the best way for diagnosis would be to visit your local vet doctor if your suspect worms are present. But how do you really know if they are worms?

Perhaps the most common sign you would meet of these intestinal parasites is diarrhea and vomiting often exhibited by dogs. Puppies or kittens would often portray a pot-bellied appearance to show roundworms, tapeworms, or hookworms in their systems.

Treatment and prevention

Since there are many kinds of worm infections, it is wise to find the type of worm that the pet has and then take action with the relevant dewormer. Small puppies and their nursing dams would need concurrent deworming every two weeks for best results. On the other hand, adult dogs do need regular deworming after every three months for preventative reasons. However, treatment would not be effective without taking the preventive measures. Just so you know, leaving your dog’s feces unattended will have them infect themselves even after deworming.

Planning the deworming schedule

Any deworming schedule should involve professional advice and fecal matter testing of the dog by the veterinarian. Remember self-medication of your dog’s worm infection is very risky and as such it is imperative to be careful.

Sources: NIH, NIH, AKC, Merck Vet Manual