Are Those Dog Worms? How to Help Your Pooch Live a Worm-Free Life?
Is your dog tired lately?
Dragging its butt on the ground? More often than it usually does?
Maybe you've noticed unwanted pests in your dog's stool.
Your pup might be in the unpawtunate position of having dog worms.
Worms are normal for puppies. They often get them from their mother's milk or in the womb. At the first vet visit, they have to go through the deworming process.
Later, unfortunate and over-curious pooches can get the worms on the walk or from insects.
What should every dog parent know about dog worms, and when is it time to take your pup to the vet?
How to Recognise Different Dog Worm Types?
Common types of dog worms are:
Tapeworms
Roundworms
Hookworms
Whipworms
Eye worms
Heartworms
Lungworms
In most cases, dog owners think about those worms that trouble their pup's gut, such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Some of them are easy to tell apart and will be visible in your dog's doo-doo.
For example, tapeworms are dog worms that look like rice. You might notice them in your puppy's stool or clinging to your dog's fur. Pooches get them after eating fleas infected with tapeworm eggs.
Another type of intestinal worm that is visible in a dog's poop is a roundworm — a large, pale, and spaghetti-like parasite. Even after treatment, this type remains dormant in your pup's body and gets activated over time with other health issues or pregnancy.
Hookworms, as the name says, are small parasites that hook themselves in your dog's intestines and, over time, lead to anaemia. Puppies can get them in the womb or by eating infected stool or soil.
Whipworms are pests that resemble a whip and torment your dog. Similar to hookworms, your pup can get them from infected soil.
Other kinds of worms are non-intestinal, and they affect other organs. Identifying dog worms that affect other organs may not be that straightforward.
Eye worms affect your dog's vision and must be removed by the vet. They are sometimes visible or cause swollen and red eyes. Dogs usually get them after being in contact with specific kinds of fruit flies that feed on tears.
Heartworms in dogs are not visible, but you might notice them cough, a swollen belly, and lethargy in your once active and healthy pup. This is because dogs contract them via mosquito bites.
Your pooch can get lungworms after ingesting larvae from infected slugs and frogs. This type can be dangerous if not treated since it spreads to the heart and blood.
What Are the Signs a Dog Has Worms?
A couple of dog worms might not trigger any symptoms, but (if not treated) over time, they might multiply and cause:
Swollen dog tummy
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Lethargy
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Fever
A dry coat that has lost its shine
The exact symptoms will depend on the type of worm your dog has contracted.
You can return the shine to your dog's coat and help them combat symptoms such as diarrhoea.
However, infestations affect your pup's overall health, so it's vital to prevent and regularly treat your pup for worms and visit a vet to help your dog on time.
Apipet Gastro
healthy digestion of the dog
How to Get Rid of Dog Worms?
The only way to get rid of dog worms is through deworming. That's a standard treatment for getting rid of dog worms with the medication provided by a vet.
A dog is worm free two weeks after the treatment.
This is a regular procedure for puppies born with pesky infestations or if they got the parasite from their mother's milk.
For example, roundworms can get passed down even from a healthy and well-cared-for dog mama. If she had them once, they could remain in her tissue.
Deworming is essential for puppies at their first vet visit, as well as adult dogs. After that, take your pooch to the vet every three months for regular treatment.
Do you really need to take your pup to the vet?
Some types of worms (such as tapeworms) are not considered dangerous and life-threatening right away. On an important note, waiting it out is not an option because dog worms worsen over time.
You can soothe the symptoms naturally at home, but dogs still need a veterinarian's attention before the worms multiply and become life-threatening for your pup.
Food for dog worms that can calm the pup's stomach includes:
Bone broth
Oats
Fermented foods — such as kefir
Pumpkin seeds
Carrots
Can You Prevent Dog Worms?
Besides regular deworming to prevent dog worm infestations, avoiding environments where your pooch might contract them is necessary.
Walk your dogs in a well-maintained and clean park.
Also, pay attention to your dog's stool once in a while to detect the signs of the parasites (worms in dog poop) early.
Can Humans Get Dog Worms?
If you've noticed the signs of worms, you might be wondering, "are dog worms contagious?"
The answer is yes; you can get some types of worms from your pup.
Most of the worms that humans can contract are intestinal.
For instance, a child can contract dog worms from the litter box that contains larvae.
Worming Your Way Out of Dog Worms
Seeing that your pooch is suffering is never easy. But, if you notice the signs of visible worms in faeces or their eyes, take your four-legged friend to the vet.
Although only some worms are fatal, they can spread and cause numerous health concerns and difficulties for your pooch — including weight loss and diarrhoea.
Prevent dog worms by choosing cleaner parks and doing regular deworming and check-ups.
After everything, don't forget to give your dog a worm hug.