You may one day see your pet scooting along the ground, his or her bum dragging in the grass. While children may laugh at the sight, it may indicate a problem, your dog might have worms. There are several types of these parasites with the most common ones are gastrointestinal.
Roundworms (Toxocara canis)
These spaghetti-like worms come in coils. They are 2 to 6” in length. They have no regard for age, gender or breed. Some arrive in newborn puppies. They received this dubious gift in their mother’s milk. Adult dogs can obtain roundworms from infected dogs or from eating stools.
A dog with roundworms has a bloated belly. Your vet will need a fecal sample to discover the presence of roundworms. You can then treat it with a medication. Roundworms can be fatal to puppies. It can also infect humans.
Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninem)
Another common species of gastrointestinal worm is the tapeworm. The Dipylidium canine is the most common type you may find in your dog. You will often see it as it emerges along with your dog’s feces. Tapeworms, as the name graphically indicates, are segmented and flat. Tapeworms are rice or maggot like in their appearance. Tapeworms are white. You will see them still moving as they emerge from your dog’s body.
Signs of a tapeworm infestation include scooting with the derriere across the surface. The dog is always hungry. He or she can never get enough to eat. In fact, eating raw food or prey may be the reason your dog has worms in the first place. Another causal factor is infected fleas.
Your vet can detect worms through testing of the feces. You have to treat by de-worming, using a strong medication recommended by your vet. You will also need to ensure there are no fleas. Give the dog a flea treatment and go over the house. If you do not take care of the flea problem, your dog may become re-infected with tapeworms.
Hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum)
Hookworms are a parasite invisible to the naked eye. They are miniscule slender worms. They attach themselves to the wall of the intestine and proceed to feed. Any age of dog can suffer from an infestation. However, the disease is more commonly found among Puppies. They obtain them through their mother’s milk. Sometimes, they acquire the parasites in utero before their birth. Another way of becoming infected is through eating stools.
Treatment is through diagnosis. Your dog may exhibit anemia or suffer from weight loss. The dog defecates, producing a bloody stool. This means you need to have your dogs stools tested. Your vet can then prescribe the correct medication.
Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis)
A dog with whipworms has a dull coat. He or she may exhibit sudden weight loss. The dog may emit wind constantly. The stools are loose and frequently bloody.
The eggs of the whipworm gain entry into your dog’s system through eating stools. They cling to the dog’s colon. The eggs can also be present in contaminated soil or on toys or a water dish.
Detection of whipworms is, like other intestinal worms, through the examination of the stools. You need to consult your vet. He or she will test the stool sample for worms. Due to the life stages of the worm, your vet may have to perform several tests. If Whipworm is confirmed, the vet can then provide you with the correct treatment.
Heartworms
Heartworms can kill a dog. They infect your dog through a host, the pesky mosquito. The mosquito transfers the microfilariae (heartworm larvae) from an infected dog to the new host when it feeds. The worm works at destroying the heart muscle. This kills your dog.
Heartworm is indicated by a potbelly. Your dog will cough. He or she drags around, lacking energy. The coat becomes dull, the animal lifeless. Yet, the cause is hard to detect.
Heartworm is not always easy to detect. The good news, however, is there is preventative medication available. You give it to your animal during the mosquito season. Your vet should test your dog for the worm before putting him or her on the medication.
