What kind of worms do dogs get?
There are several types of worms your dog can get: heartworm, which is carried by mosquitoes, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. They all have different hosts or life cycles, which can affect where dogs can pick them up.
How do dogs get worms?
For example, with tapeworms, there are two types. One involves a flea in the life cycle, and another insists in muscle tissue, such as a rabbit or a bird. There are two different types of tapeworms, and one of the medications we use, fenazol, is very specific for only one type. Sometimes we have to use something broader spectrum. Hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms usually result from oral contamination, either by ingesting the stool itself or eating or biting grass where some stool is laid. Sometimes your dog will step in something at the park and then lick the paw, picking it up that way.
What are the symptoms of worms in dogs that pet owners should look out for?
Sometimes, there aren't any symptoms other than just being unthrifty, not gaining weight, or feeling like you're feeding quite a bit of food, and the dog is still remaining thin. Other times there can be loose stools, vomiting, or blood in the stool. There's not anything specific, but there can be hints.
Are worms painful for dogs?
Generally not, but if the worms cause enough of a blockage, which rarely occurs, then that could be painful. With heartworms, if they get to a certain load, it will affect the dog's ability to be thrifty, and there will be some coughing and exercise intolerance, maybe wheezing. So again, generally not, but it all depends on the situation.
How long can worms live inside my dog?
It depends on the species of worms. For example, whipworms can live anywhere from 5 months to a year and a half. Most hookworms and roundworms live about two to three months. Heartworms, the adult heartworm, can live in your dog for several years. So again, it depends on the species and what we're dealing with.
What should I do if I suspect my dog has worms?
The best thing would be to get a stool sample to us. We can actually check it and see if there is a parasite present. There are a couple of different tests: a fecal flotation, where we look for the eggs, and an antigen test that we send to a lab. For heartworm, we do a blood test.
How do intestinal parasites impact the health and well-being of my dog?
If you have a load of roundworms or hookworms, which suck blood, your dog can become anemic. Roundworms can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Tapeworms are generally more of a nuisance but can present a human health hazard. Roundworms can go through a blood lung migration, getting in odd spots instead of going back to the intestinal tract. Young children can pick those up, especially from raccoons, which is called Baylisascaris, and that can cause issues because the larvae get into the brain or eye. Dog roundworms can cause similar issues. So generally, if you think you've got something going on, let's check it, and we'll know.
What can I do to prevent my dog from getting worms?
Make sure you have them on something occasionally as a dewormer, like the monthly Heartgard or Interceptor, which are heartworm preventatives combined with intestinal worm protection. Those are good products. We can do stool checks every six months. If you see your dog is not gaining weight properly or has loose stools, that's one of the first things we will check.
Can puppies be dewormed, and if so, when should I start?
Yes, puppies can and should be dewormed. Often, the breeder will worm them between four and six weeks. Sometimes we see puppies that have been dewormed several times. We usually deworm them at least a couple of times, depending on what the breeder has done. We also get puppies started on a heartworm preventative that includes worming medication.
How do I know if the deworming treatment was effective for my dog?
Sometimes you'll see the worms pass. Other times, like with the tapeworm medication, the worms do not pass because they are digested and broken down. You might notice an improvement in diarrhea or loose stool. To be sure, we usually do a repeat stool check several weeks after deworming to ensure they're gone.
Are there specific deworming protocols for pregnant or nursing dogs?
Generally not. Most wormers we have are very safe. Roundworms can be passed to puppies in utero through the placenta or when they're nursing. Hookworms can penetrate the skin, causing a condition known as "plumber's itch." So, if you think there's a problem, bring them in, and we'll check.
Are there any risks associated with using dog dewormers?
Generally not. The only risk might be if your dog is allergic to the medication, which is extremely rare. Most wormers have been around for quite some time and are very safe.
If my dog has worms, are there any risks for me or my family?
Yes, especially with roundworms. They can undergo somatic migration, where juvenile worms get misplaced, sometimes reaching the eye or brain of children. Raccoon roundworms can be picked up from sandboxes and are very serious. Some species of tapeworms are also unfriendly to humans.
How should I clean my house if my dog previously has had worms?
The best thing to do is to pick up the stool and discard it. This can be hard if it's loose stool. You can try watering things down into the grass. Practice basic sanitation: wash your hands and maintain good hygiene, and you'll be okay.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (402) 489-0501, or you can email us at staff@vhvet.com. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.