Last time on the LazyPaw Animal Hospitals blog, we took a turn into the more macabre world of animal care when we explored the types and symptoms of worms in cats. This week, Halloween comes early again as we detail the dangers of worms in dogs.
Worms are first classified by shape. Round worms (nematodes) such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms live in the intestines. Flat worms (cestodes) such as tapeworms live in other organs such as the liver or heart. Dogs commonly get hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, heartworms, and tapeworms.
Dogs are often born with worms they contract from the mother during pregnancy or nursing. They can also catch worms when eating fleas, catching prey such as snails or mice, or eating feces from other pets or farm animals (I know, yum). Heartworm is particularly dangerous because it is spread through mosquitos.
Worms are so common that animal hospitals and pet clinics routinely do fecal exams to ensure dogs are healthy. Symptoms of worms can vary, but if you notice your dog is coughing, low on energy, losing weight, has a dull coat or swollen belly, or if you actually see worms in their stool, make an appointment to see one of your animal surgeons at the pet clinic immediately. Your veterinarian is the only person who can run adequate tests to know if your dog has worms, which worms they are suffering from, and exactly how to treat them.
Treatment includes deworming medications, but if you believe your dog has worms, don’t give them an over the counter worm medicine—medications will only treat specific parasites, so you may only be prolonging the problem.
The best way to prevent worms in your dog is to keep your home free from fleas and pick up their feces after they go. Worms can live in feces for ages, and picking up after pets dramatically reduces contamination potential.
Talk to your animal hospital about worm prevention medications that can help dogs steer clear of ugly parasites. The most common preventatives include HARTGARD Plus, Revolution, and Trifexis, but your vet can help you choose the best monthly medication for your dog. If you’re a patient with LazyPaw Animal Hospitals, the best Frisco vet around, you can order prescriptions online from our easy, competitively priced online pet pharmacy.