The thought of worms in our dogs is highly unpleasant. Yet understanding the symptoms of worms in dogs is an important part of responsible dog ownership. Serious health problems can arise if the symptoms of worms in dogs are left untreated.
Worms may be selected from your dog’s stool and polluted dirt. Other dogs may be infected, and in certain cases , people may contract certain forms of worms.
There are five major types of worms that usually affect domestic dogs:
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Heartworms
It is crucial to be able to identify the symptoms of worms in dogs in order to keep your dog safe.
Symptoms of worms in dogs:
Although each parasite affects dogs differently, there are several general warning signs that dog owners should be aware of. Intestinal worms can cause the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Unhealthy coat appearance
- Bloated Abdomen
- Vomiting
- Unhealthy appearance of the coat
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Scraping their bottom along the floor
Roundworms
A lot of puppies are born with the roundworms they get from their mother. Therefore, it ‘s important that newborn puppies receive adequate veterinary treatment. Roundworms are diagnosed with a fecal sample and are treated with deworming drugs. If left untreated, roundworms can lead to poor growth and death in severe cases.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite that dogs develop by consuming infected fleas or by consuming wild animals infested with tapeworms or fleas. If the dog consumes the flea, the tapeworm hatches and attaches to the intestinal lining of the dog.
Infected dogs can transfer segments of tapeworms in their stools. They can be noticeable and look like tiny pieces of noodles or rice. Often the affected dogs are forced to scooter their bottoms along the ground in order to gain some relief from the itching. If you see symptoms in your dog’s stool or note that your dog is scooting, take a stool sample to your veterinarian for diagnosis.
Hookworms
Hookworms are intestinal pests that induce anemia in dogs and can be deadly in dogs if left untreated. Several different types of hookworms can affect dogs. They are very tiny worms but they ingest substantial quantities of blood when connected to the intestinal wall of the dog.
Your dog will get hookworms from contaminated soil and from the ingestion of hookworm larvae.
Infected dogs will transfer hundreds of microscopic eggs in their stools, where they hatch and can stay alive in the soil for as long as many months. A dog can eat or lick the infected dirt from the bottom of its paws, or sniff the infected dog’s poop. Humans can also become infected with hookworms.
Hookworms are diagnosed with a microscopic examination of a stool specimen called a fecal float when the stool is mixed with a solution that allows the eggs to float to the surface. Dogs are treated with deworming drugs, usually given twice – to capture adult worms and then two to four weeks later to capture newly created ones.
Whipworms
Whipworms are a type of worm in dogs that live in the large intestine and colon, where they transfer their eggs into the stool of the dog. Dogs get whipworms from the ingestion of an infested material that may include dirt, food , water, poop, or animal flesh.
Whipworms do not usually cause symptoms in mild cases. In extreme cases, however, they can lead to inflammation, weight loss, diarrhea, and sometimes anemia. Your veterinarian can diagnose your dog with a fecal sample of whipworms and prescribe a treatment plan that is appropriate for your dog’s needs.
Eggs can live for up to five years in suitable conditions, which is one of the reasons why bathing your dog regularly is so important for general health and sanitation.
Heartworms
Of all the types of worms in dogs, the most worrying and the most preventable, are heartworms. Mosquitoes spread the disease, and since it is difficult to stop mosquitoes in most areas, vets recommend routine heartworm prevention to keep your dog safe. Heartworms develop and multiply inside the heart, causing serious lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and sadly it can eventually lead to death if left untreated.
Prevention is the only way to deal with heartworms. Treatment is long, costly, and can have severe side effects.
How to Diagnose And Treat Worms
While tapeworms can be seen in dog stools, other forms of intestinal worms typically need to be detected by searching for eggs through a microscopic examination of the stool sample. If your dog has any of the symptoms mentioned above, your veterinarian will ask you to take a stool sample so that worms can be identified or ruled out as a cause. Even if there are no signs, it is best to take a stool sample to your vet when your dog has a routine check-up.
Your veterinarian may prescribe deworming medications to treat various types of intestinal parasites and heartworms, as well as preventive medications. Since puppies are vulnerable to acquiring worms from their mothers, they must also have their stool screened on a regular basis. If you suspect that your dog has any of the symptoms of worms in dogs, get in touch with our friendly mobile veterinary team and we will be happy to come to your home and treat your beloved pooch.
