Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Puppies
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
Puppies and dogs can carry around lots of worms, and you may
never know it unless your veterinarian performs a stool check. A
dog can appear totally normal and healthy on the outside, but
inside, worms may be lurking. We will focus only on worms of the
intestine here, since other worms such as heartworms live
elsewhere inside the body.
When your veterinarian performs a stool sample check, a small
sample of feces passed within the last 24 hours (fresher is
better) is subjected to detailed examination under a microscope
by a qualified technician. The two most common screening tests
for intestinal parasites are:
- fecal flotation to identify worms or their eggs
- fecal smear to identify single-celled parasites.
Signs of worm infestation in dogs are varied and may include a
stark, staring, dull haircoat, bloated round swollen belly, pale
gums and anemia, licking around the anus, scooting or dragging
the bottom along a floor, and vomiting. Puppies may also cry when
picked up if the guts are full of worms and may seem
uncomfortable at rest.
Sometimes, diarrhea, blood or mucus in the stool, and vomiting
may also occur. With whipworm infestation, serious weight loss,
diarrhea and lethargy may occur. These worms also may be
associated with a poor haircoat because they rob their host of
valuable nutrients.
In serious infestations, a puppy will sometimes pass worms in
the stool or in the vomit. This is a sure sign that immediate
professional worm treatment is required. It is important to
select prescription products for maximum efficiency of treatment.
When very heavy burdens are present, short-term veterinary
supervision of therapy may be needed.
Because of the fact that some dogs do not show signs of a worm
burden, all pets should have a stool sample checked at least once
a year at the veterinary clinic to make sure no worms are
present. Many worms, such as the common roundworm are zoonoses,
or are shared with people, and this means that for your own
family's health, proper preventive worming schedules should be
carried out. Every puppy should receive a sequence of deworming
treatments while going through their puppy vaccination series,
and if any signs of worms are noted at home anytime, prompt
veterinary advice should be sought and repeat treatment carried
out.
Indoor dogs can pick up new worm infestations just by going
for a walk around the block and licking up eggs from grass
contaminated with old feces of other dogs. They may even carry
the eggs on their paws, and by licking their feet, become
infected. Rolling in grass or sand may also deposit infective
eggs in the fur, which can be ingested if self-grooming is done.
This, and the fact that children can also pick up eggs by playing
in public spaces is why "stoop and scoop" laws are now
enforced in most communities.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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