Dealing With Intestinal Worms – A Look at the Four Types

While puppies from Pauley’s Pups have been treated for worms and other medical concerns before they join your family, your existing pets or new friend may at some point run into problems with worms. These invasive parasites are problems for nearly all four-legged friends, and while a deworming regimen can help to keep your dog or cat protected, a lapse in dosing and exposure can great a wriggling problem. Here’s a look at the kinds of worms that can cause problems in your pup from PetMD.

Roundworms

Roundworms are a problem in a large number of puppies and young dogs, as they can be transmitted from the dog’s mother while still in utero or from the mother’s milk to the pup. These pests have a pernicious life cycle – they start as larvae and work their way to the small intestine where they start releasing eggs. These eggs can then hatch or be passed and ingested, at which point the larvae travel through the body to the lungs. The animal then coughs and swallows the worms, allowing them to grow to maturity in the intestine. External signs of worms include a pot belly or slow growth, and without treatment, they can lead to a severe intestinal blockage that can be fatal.

Whipworms

Whipworms live in the large intestine, and are generally harder to diagnose as they are less frequently passed through the dog’s body and lay very few eggs. If your dog seems to have chronic problems with maintaining weight or always seems to be losing weight, he or she could have a whipworm infestation. Though rarely seen in wastes, the worms look like small threads, and may be present in stools that seem to have a mucous coating. If your dog has some of these symptoms, consult with your vet to see if he or she recommends a course of treatment to clear out these pests.

Hookworms

While roundworms and whipworms tend to dine on the foot your pup eats, hookworms eat your dog – well, their blood anyway. These parasites latch on to the walls of the small intestine and leech blood through the walls of the intestine, leading to a wide range of problems in dogs. Major infestations can cause a lack of stamina and ability to maintain weight in elder pups, while puppies can become severely anemic and weak – potentially even fatally. Eggs can be found in stool samples, which makes it all the more important to not only keep up on your worm medications, but also to bring a fresh sample for your vet to examine at your regular appointments.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can grow huge – in worm terms – by comparison to the others on this list. These worms can grow as large as 6 inches in length, and are commonly spotted in pet wastes or even stuck to fur underneath your pup’s tail. This is also how they’re most frequently diagnosed, as the small rice-like segments are a clear sign of worms. These worms are also very tenacious, and most over-the-counter dewormers have no effect. Your vet can recommend a prescription treatment medication that should have your dog back to good health in no time.

Prevention

Keeping worms at bay relies on keeping your pup away from situations where worms can be passed. Worms most often are passed from the wastes of an infected dog or cat to a healthy dog, so keeping your dog away from other pet wastes is a start. Some worms can also live outside for extended periods, meaning that these dogs could linger in the environment even if fresh waste isn’t present. Having your vet examine a stool sample at each visit can help identify problems early on, and cure your pup of these pesky problems.

Pauley’s Pups guarantees the health of our dogs, and we ensure that all dogs are in great health before they join your family. Keeping your puppy healthy is a collaborative effort between preventative measures as well as you and your vet, so make sure to raise any concerns with him or her during your regular appointments. For more information on our pups or adding a new member to your family, check out our puppies for sale online now or contact us today.