Dogs and Worms
Worms and dogs: a one-sided relationship
In nature there are many relationships that have a mutual benefit. For example – fungi and trees, the trees provide shelter and mulch to allow the mushrooms to grow, the fungi attract insects that keep the ground around the roots of the tree healthy and full of nutrients for the tree to soak up through its roots. In opposition to this there are parasites that bring no benefit to their host animals and can sometimes cause considerable damage.
One such relationship is that of Dogs and Worms. Our cute little pets get no advantages from a worm infestation, in fact they can cause considerable damage to your furry friend.
Conversely though, the natural nutrients within the dog’s body can help to ensure the healthy survival of a variety of worms.
In its infancy the worm is unlikely to be recognized, first contact may be as eggs or larvae, not worms. The eggs are distributed throughout the local environment by many different methods.
Contact with infectious eggs or larvae from the faeces of other infested dogs, cats and other animals is just one of them. They could simply be trodden on and bought home on the owners shoes or they might cling to the dog fur from a plant whilst out on a walk.
If the eggs are then picked up by the mouth through licking, possibly cleaning then they can quietly trigger a worm infection.
In generally the first signs of any worm infestation are not instantly recognizable and they may not cause any serious harm for some time. In puppies, however, worms can have very serious health consequences.
Many puppies are infected by the mother – as in the case of the roundworm. Roundworms are among the most common worms in dogs.
With tapeworms, transmission is usually only possible if the dog tends to hunt and eat prey animals that serve as intermediate hosts of worms. This is especially true of the fox tapeworm.
Possible symptoms of a worm infestation are:
• Itching around the anus (“causing scooting or sledging”)
• Diarrhoea and / or vomiting
• Constipation
• Deficiency symptoms due to nutrient withdrawal
• Appetite and weight loss
• Dull coat
• Inflated “worm belly” (in cases of massive infestation)
Puppies and immunocompromised dogs often suffer from severe worm infestations.
Which worms are common among dogs?
Dogs are popular host animals to several worm species. The individual risk of a worm infestation varies widely and depends on several factors. These include age, discharge behavior, diet and husbandry (living conditions).
Most common worms among dogs are :-
• The round worm
• The lung worm
• The hookworm
• The heart worm
• The cucumber tape worm
• The fox tape worm
• The dog tape worm
1.Tapeworm
Tapeworms look like flat bands consisting of segments. These segments may detach and be visible with the pet’s faeces. If you suspect that your dog suffers from tapeworm you should take a closer look.
Small egg packets become visible around the droppings (looking like little white grains of rice).
Signs of a tapeworm infection are:-
• weight loss (can be rapid or slow)
• itching of the anal area causing “sledding”
• diarrhea (unlikely to be a one off)
• dull fur even after shampooing
• additional or constant licking of the anal area
Humans can also be infected with tapeworm usually aquired because the dog has been allowed to lick your face.
Treatment and prevention of Tapeworm
Tapeworms are easily and effectively removed by modern worm remedies available from pet stores your vet and also widely available online (see the link below).
If these drugs are administered every three months as part of regular worming programme, no newly swallowed worm eggs or larvae can grow into adult worms and the cycle will be killed off.
2.Roundworms
Roundworms look like cooked spaghetti, are off white to brown in colour and are about 10-18 cm (4 to 7 inches) long. Dog to dog transfer is common. A transfer from the mother to her puppy is quite common.
Signs of roundworm infection are:-
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloated stomach
• Appetite loss
• Tiredness (Lethargy)
Treatment and prevention of Roundworm
Roundworms are easily and effectively removed with modern worm remedies. If these drugs are administered every three months as part of regular worming programme then newly infested worm larvae can be gotten rid of in good time.
Note:- Due to the fast pace of these effects on puppies the deworming should be discussed with your veterinarian.
If your dog is not a puppy see the link below.
Please be aware there is a risk of cross infection for humans (zoonoses).
3.Hookworms
Hookworms are similar in appearance to roundworms, with the exception of teeth at one end. This allows them to hook into the dog’s intestine. These parasites can be transmitted by ticks or contracted orally by ingesting infected food.
Signs of hookworms are:-
• Anemia and bloody and pulpy feaces (in the case of heavy infestation)
• Constipation
• Dry cough
• Dull coat
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and some swelling
The risk of infection for humans is thankfully rather rare.
Treatment and prevention of Hookworm
Hookworms can be easily and effectively removed by modern worm remedies. If these drugs are administered every three months as part of regular worming program, newly infested worm larvae can be killed off in good time. See the link below this article for treatments available online.
It is important that he treatment of puppies should be discussed with your veterinarian.
4.Heartworms
Heartworms really do affect a dog’s heart. They are transmitted by infected, adult female mosquitoes. An infestation with heartworms can remain hidden for years and the dog will only very gradually become ill, visibly difficult to spot in the early stages. Fortunately, the infection can be spotted in routine blood tests.
Signs of heartworms are:-
• fatigue
• weight loss
• difficulty in breathing
• dull coat
• enlargement of the abdomen
The risk of infection for humans is unlikely.
Treatment and prevention of Heartworms
Treatment for this condition needs to be given by a veterinarian as antibiotics may be needed along with anti-inflammatories and possibly microfilaria. Prevention is difficult essentialy you would need to stay away from areas with mosquitos, Thankfully this condition could be termed as rare.
5.Whipworms
Whipworms are blood-sucking parasites like his fellow species the hookworm. They are one of the most common gastrointestinal worms to infect the dog, usually residing in the cecum which is the area between the small and large intestine.
However, these are particularly difficult to identify because they are difficult to see with the naked eye. They are about the length of a match but are wafer thin, white to translucent in colour looking like a miniature bullwhip – hence their name.
They are transmitted by infected feaces, which is why you should remove faeces from meadows and paths and garden where the dog spends their time.
Signs of Whipworms are:
• Blood in the faeces (in cases of heavy infestation)
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Licking of the stomach area
• Flatulence
Treatment and prevention of Whipworms
Whipworms are easily and effectively removed by modern worm remedies. If these drugs are administered every three months as part of regular deworming program, newly infested worm larvae can be killed off, ending the cycle. See the link below
However if your dog has not been regularly wormed these whipworm can last for up to 5 years and in these cases you will need the help of a veterinarian.
How to know if my dog has worms?
It can be difficult to know whether a dog has worms or not because it is often difficult to recognize the early signs. Adult dogs, particularly healthy dogs show little or very subtle symptoms.
Nevertheless, dogs that show no external symptoms can excrete infectious worms at a variety of stages, so as an owner, disgusting as it may be to some of you, a regular inspection of their faeces is a must. This practice can save you a lot of grief and possibly some costs as well, as you can stop any infection progressing to a level that is difficult to treat or causes your dog suffering.
It is therefore all the more important to help prevent this by taking suitable measures such as clearing faeces from the garden on a regular basis..
How often should my dog be wormed?
How often should your dog be wormed? Adult dogs should be wormed every 3 months. Puppies should be wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old and then wormed every month until 6 months old, thereafter treating as an adult dog every 3 months
Those who want to effectively contribute to protecting their dog from a worm infection and its consequences, should be consistent in their treatment against worms. The best remedy for this might be to take part in a program where your vet sends you quarterly treatments via the post, they can then also notify you when other treatments may be necessary.
If this option is too expensive for you then set a three monthly alarm on your cell phone or other calendar related device to remind you of the fact that treatment is due. If you are going to use this method I suggest that you keep a supply of treatments handy so that you do not need to rush some miles to the nearest pet shop, timing in these matters is reasonably crucial. If ordering online be sure to allow for any prolonged delivery time – See the link below for a variety of treatments available.
Remember regular worm cures ensure that the pet is not a danger of infection to other pets or the family.
Unlike antiparasitics against ticks and fleas, deworming medication has no long-term effect which is why it must be done on a regular basis.
How often you worm your dog, must be decided individually depending on the risk of infection to your dog. Generally this can be from four times a year but occasionally it may need to be monthly. (i.e. if you left your dog at a kennel midway in your treatment cycle, it may be worth giving an extra treatment).
Your veterinarian is the right contact for creating a suitable worming plan for your dog. If necessary the worm treatment can be administered simultaneously with the added protection against ectoparasites. This facilitates the overview of the parasite control in your dog.
How does my dog get worms?
• Infection with worms via the mouth through licking and eating
• Infection via the mother (puppies)
• Infection with worms because of eggs laid on the skin
• Worm infections from Mosquitos
Infection with worms through the mouth and food :-
If a dog spends time running around outside, there is a risk that he sniffs or licks the feaces of infected animals contaminated with worm eggs. A seemingly disgusting habit to us humans but many dogs do this.
From the mouth the eggs then enter the intestine of the dog and continue to develop there.
Also, if a dog eats infected intermediaries such as mice, birds or raw meat, there is yet another risk of infection. In this case, it is tapeworms.
Certain tapeworm species, such as the cucumber core tapeworm, are transmitted by infected fleas , which the dog, for example, swallows when grooming themselves or other dogs. The transmission of tapeworms takes place exclusively via intermediate hosts.
Infection via the mother:-
Roundworms can infect unborn puppies. The transfer takes place via the mothers womb. If the mother has swallowed worm eggs, larvae develop in her body. Subsequently, there is a so-called larval migration:
The worm larvae, for example, wander through the liver or the lungs of the dog and possibly damage these organs. Some of the larvae also get into the muscles. The parasites may finally reach the uterus and mammary glands via the blood. If the infected bitch is pregnant, the unborn puppies become infected with the worms. After birth the puppies take on further larvae with the mother’s milk.
Hookworms can also be transmitted via breast milk.
Infection with worms via the skin :-
The larvae of hookworms possess the ability to penetrate the skin and are therefore also transferable to other dogs when still on the skin.
Infection with worms from mosquitoes:
Mosquitoes can infect a dog with heartworms. Heartworms are parasites that live in the adult stage in the heart and in the large pulmonary vessels of the dog. The transmitters (infected mosquitoes) are mainly found in the warm humid areas of Southern Europe, Central and Northern Europe however there are very few known cases of infection.
