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Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD on August 10, 2020 Roundworms, also known as ascarids or nematodes, are common parasites that live inside your dog’s intestines. They feed on partly digested food. Most dogs get them at one time or another. Roundworms are more common in puppies. Dogs get two main roundworm species: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina. Toxocara canis is worse, and people can get it, too. They’re usually white or light brown and can be up to a few inches long. (They look like spaghetti.) Some dogs don’t show symptoms, but many do. Here’s what to look for: If your dog has roundworms, you may notice them in poop or vomit. If you see something that looks like rice, it might be a different parasite called a tapeworm. Roundworms are common. Puppies have the highest risk of getting them and becoming sick. Your dog may get them from: This is how the cycle continues: After your dog swallows the eggs, they hatch and turn into larvae. The larvae then spread through your dog’s liver and up to their windpipe. Next, the dog coughs and then swallows the larvae. That’s how they get into the dog’s intestine, where they can grow into adult worms. Then they lay their own eggs, which continues the cycle. If you see signs of roundworms, take your dog to the vet. They’ll look at a sample of your dog’s poop under a microscope to see if there are any roundworm eggs in it. Many deworming drugs are safe and effective. They include fenbendazole, milbemycin, moxidectin, piperazine, and pyrantel. Your vet will give your dog one to three doses at first, which will kill the adult worms. Your dog will get follow-up doses to kill any new worms that weren’t fully developed when the first doses were given. Even after your dog is treated, they should get regular fecal exams. For puppies, that’s two to four times a year. For dogs 1 year or older, it’s one to two times a year. Roundworms spread easily. One roundworm can produce up to 85,000 eggs a day. Because they’re so common in puppies, many vets deworm pups when they’re 2 or 3 weeks old just to be safe. If they have untreated roundworms, puppies are at risk of weakness, weight loss, and stunted growth from malnutrition. But you can do a lot of things to ward them off. Roundworms can cause significant problems in people. If you have contact with dog poop or soil that’s contaminated, you may get an infection. That can lead to eye, lung, heart, liver, and neurological problems. Children have a higher risk and may get infected by accidentally eating eggs that are in soil or dog poop. These eggs can hatch into larvae that get encysted in various organs and lead to serious illness. Pick up after your dogs in yards or other outdoor areas. Keep kids away from areas where dogs have used the bathroom. Be sure they wash their hands regularly. Infection by worms is a common health problem that can affect dogs, although you may not know that not all worms are alike. As far as dogs are concerned, worms come in five types: hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms (intestinal worms), and heartworms. It’s easier to spot some kinds of worms than others. For instance, if your dog picks up a tapeworm, you will usually see what looks like grains of rice in his stool. Roundworms also can often be seen in a dog’s stool. Tapeworms may appear as small moving presences in a dog’s fur, or around the anal area. Heartworms, on the other hand, do not produce discernable signs of their existence until heartworm disease is at a reasonably advanced stage. Here are ten common symptoms that may mean your dog has worms. 1. VomitingDogs with worms often throw up. Roundworms may sometimes show in a dog’s vomit. 2. DiarrheaSoft stools or diarrhea may be the result of worms. As well as diarrhea, bloody stools may indicate hookworms. 3. CoughingOne advanced stage sign of heartworms in a dog is the development of a cough. Dogs with roundworms or hookworms may also cough. 4. LethargyDogs that are lacking in their usual level of energy may have worms. 5. Change in Feeding HabitsA sudden change in a dog’s appetite may mean he is infected with roundworms. Food may lose its appeal, or he may suddenly be more hungry because worms are stealing nutrients from his food. 6. Loss of WeightRapid loss of weight may indicate the presence of tapeworms or whipworms. 7. Dull CoatWorms may cause a dog’s coat to begin to appear dull and dried out. Other indications of worms may be hair loss and the appearance of rashes. 8. Skin IrritationsA severe infestation of worms may cause skin irritation and itching. 9. ScootingA dog rubbing its bottom on the ground often indicates a problem with the anal glands. However, a dog with worms may scoot to relieve the itch, due to worms in the anal area. 10. BloatingIf a dog begins to have a pot belly, it may have contracted worms. If a bloated stomach applies to puppies, they will probably have picked up worms from their mother. What Should I Do if I Suspect my Dog has Worms?If you have any suspicion that your dog has worms, don’t hesitate to take him to your vet. Most intestinal worms are easily treatable with prescribed medication. However, heartworm disease is much more challenging to treat and stressful for your dog to cope with. You can prevent heartworms via the administration of a monthly preventive medication that has the added advantage of also preventing other worm infections. Emergency Treatment in Columbia, South CarolinaExcept in severe cases of heartworm infestation, worms do not usually constitute an emergency. However, worms should never be left untreated, as worm infestations can cause damage to your dog’s internal organs. In a worst-case scenario, the effects of worms can even lead to a loss of consciousness and death. If your dog is unfortunate enough ever to need the most up-to-date emergency care, don’t hesitate to bring him to CVETS. Before you even get your new puppy or dog home there is a good chance that they may have worms. Worms can have a serious health effect on puppies, so intestinal worming should never be overlooked. As a rule, all puppies need to be wormed every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months of age. After six months of age an adult dog needs to be wormed every 3 months. There are a number of intestinal worms that just love to live inside a dog's tummy. Unfortunately they can be transferred to other family members, including children. Following the intestinal worming care plan outlined above will help control worms in your puppy or dog and also help to protect the entire family. How does a dog get worms?There are many routes to infection including:-
Can you tell if your pet has worms?Most worms are identified by the presence of their eggs in a dog's faeces. These eggs are very small and are difficult to identify by eye. Tapeworms and Roundworms are two of the few that can be seen by eye. Tapeworms look like small pieces of rice and can be found in the faeces or around the tail and rear area, sometimes clinging to hair. For this reason you may see your dog scoot his rear across the ground as the worms can be irritating. Roundworms are long white worms that look like noodles or spaghetti. Occasionally puppies may vomit these up or they can also be seen in faeces. Common intestinal worms
What do I do if my dog has worms? How do I prevent worms?Worming treatments do not prevent worms, they only kill worms. So it's important to deworm regularly. Depending on the intestinal worming product you use as a rule all puppies need to be wormed every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months of age. After six months of age an adult dog needs to be wormed every 3 months. If you have any doubt about worming your pet, please contact us for instructions. There are a number of products on the market, some of which are inferior and we would prefer your pet receives the correct and safe dose. Unless you are using the correct product for your pet and situation you may not only be wasting your money, but also risking the health of your pet. If you suspect your dog has worms, then it is best to contact your local vet for treatment and guidance on the problem. Total Wellness PlanEnjoy greater convenience and peace of mind with the Total Wellness Plan. Prevention is key when it comes to managing worms and parasites and as part of our annual healthcare plan you will receive monthly parasite control delivered direct to your door, so that you can take care of those pesky intestinal worms, heartworm and fleas without missing a dose. You will also receive annual vaccinations, unlimited consultations* and more - join the Total Wellness Plan today. *For Classic plan members only. If you have a cat, find out more about cats and intestinal worms. |