Eww! Gross! Worms!
Understanding Worms in Dogs
“Why would I want to read about worms?!”
I’ll tell you why!
When adopting your new best friend, it is important to gain knowledge on anything that is possible to happen to them. Including the unpleasant idea of thinking about or even seeing worms in your dog’s poop. The last thing that you want or need, when it can be prevented, is to end up with vet bills that could drain the vacation you’ve been saving up for, or worse, the loss of your sweet pup.
What Are Worms Found In Dogs?
Worms are small parasites that are surprisingly common in most dogs, especially if not on preventative measures. If left untreated, these parasites can cause serious harm to your furry friend, including death. There are 5 types of worms: roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms. The symptoms if your dog has worms can vary from type of worm and your dog breed.
The 5 types of Worms
Roundworms are parasites that live freely in the intestine, feeding off partially digested intestinal contents. They do not require a host to spread from dog to dog but can be transmitted by eating fecal matter. They can range in size from 6-13” long and look like spaghetti.
Hookworms are similar to roundworms in appearance but are known to be smaller, approximately 1/2” - 1” long. The hookworm attaches to the lining of the small intestine, feeding on blood. Hookworms can cause severe anemia as a result of their feeding habits.
Tapeworms consist of multiple segments, each with its own reproductive organs. As a result of multiple parts, it’ll look as if there are grains of rice in your dog’s poop. The good news, your dog cannot get tapeworms from another dog or cat. The bad-ish news is that tapeworms come from eating an infected flea or rodent.
Whipworms are the most uncommon of all the worms and have an appearance of thread that’s enlarged at one end. They’re around 1”-2” in length and are found living in the large intestine, causing inflammation & irritation.
Heartworms are a serious disease that is spread by mosquitos. An infected mosquito will feed on a dog, and inject heartworm larvae into the dog’s bloodstream. From there, the larvae will mature and make their way to the heart, infesting the major vessels of the heart and lungs. Heartworms are large, reaching up to 14” in length. The typical signs of heartworm infection can be fatigue, coughing, and poor physical condition.
The Symptoms of Worms
Your beloved furry friend may not always show signs of a worm infestation, however, here are some warning signs to look out for:
Diarrhea, sometimes containing blood or abdominal pain.
Vomiting, which can sometimes include adult worms.
Weight Loss, especially if your dog is a healthy eater.
Bloated Belly, especially noticeable in young puppies.
Dull/Dry Coat, a noticeably unhealthy appearance, anemia, or dehydration.
Visible Segments in their poop that may look like grains of rice or spaghetti noodles.
How To Diagnose & Treat
It is standard to have an annual or bi-annual fecal test and heartworm test. If you have a suspicion about your dog having worms, take a stool sample to your Veterinarian for a diagnosis. If you suspect your dog may have heartworm disease, they will need to do a blood test. In some cases, an ultrasound or echocardiogram may be required. If any of the above-mentioned intestinal parasites are detected, a process called deworming will start immediately. Another round of dewormer may be given if the infestation is serious or your dog may still be showing signs. If it is a newborn puppy, the deworming process will start automatically at 2 weeks old and continue every 2 weeks until the age of 8 weeks old. After the 8-week mark, you can deworm your puppy once a month until the pup is 6 months old.
How To Prevent Worms
You can prevent your dog from getting heartworm by using a heartworm preventative. Many heartworm preventatives also protect against other intestinal worms. If you’re on the fence about having your dog on a heartworm preventative, you should know that if your dog were to get heartworms, treatment is lengthy, expensive, and can have serious side effects, such as death in a worst-case scenario. Controlling fleas and ticks with a pill or a 3-in-1 will prevent infection of certain types of tapeworm.
Always speak with your Veterinarian about the most relevant parasite control for your dog.
Another way to help prevent intestinal parasites/heartworms is to do an annual or bi-annual fecal test and blood test.
Now that you know more about worms, you can help your beloved, tail-wagging friend with a better life! Remember, annual testing, prevention, and flea & tick control are the best things you can do to prevent any serious harm to your dog caused by parasites!
If you’ve adopted from Fur Sisters, it is part of the adoption contract that your dog remains on heartworm preventative for life.
Happy Adopting!
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