Puppies infected with worms are not uncommon. Many puppies, especially those with little to no pre-natal care, are born loaded with them. As the hormones of a pregnant dog kick in, the worms that have been encased, and dormant in her body begin to grow, infecting the developing puppies. They can also get it from nursing; as their mother's milk may be infested.
Worms love where they live! Who can blame them? Their host, your dog, provides a safe, warm, dark, home...full of food! They thrive in the intestinal tract of your poor pooch, sometimes causing serious problems, including malnutrition and anemia. For your poor dog, it's a double-edged sword. The worms spend all their time, literally sucking the blood out of your pet; as well dining on the food your hungry pal is trying to digest. That's why they are called parasites!
The life cycle of a tapeworm starts with a flea! Flea larvae eat the tapeworm eggs they find, usually in the ground. As the flea grows, so does the tapeworm...inside the flea! Eating a single tapeworm infected flea can ruin your dog's day!
Eliminate the fleas on your pets, and their surroundings. You'll have fewer problems with re-infection. This holds true for cats too!
The two easiest worms to find and identify are:
· Round worms, are long, thin, strings resembling spaghetti. They are usually found in a dog's stools or vomit. You can't miss them! They squirm around fanatically tangled in a mass!
· Tapeworms look just as they are described; like tape when inside your dog. They are long, segmented, and flat. They pass through the dog's intestines in a long chain. The segments break, looking like oblong or flat white worms. They do move independently of each other. As they dry up, they look like rice.. The tiny broken segments can be found in your dog's bed and/or around their tail. Some will still move around, until they dry.
The three worms that are impossible to see, and need a veterinarian to test for are:
· Protozoans are single celled parasitic organisms also known as giardia and coccidia. They are invisible to the naked eye. Found in contaminated water and soil.
· Hookworms are a nematode worm, with a hook around their mouth. The latch on to the wall of the intestines, and suck blood from their host...your dog! Eggs are commonly found in contaminated soil.
· Whipworms are parasitic nematode worms. They are slim and whip like. Eggs are found most often in contaminated soil.
Signs to watch for:
· Loss of appetite
· Malnutrition
· Diarrhea
· Vomiting
· Dehydration
· Dull coat
· Restless
· Lethargic
· Chewing tail, coat and skin excessively
· Excessive licking around the anus
· Bloody stools
· Bloody vomit
· Anemia
· Loose stools
· White specks in stools
· Upset or painful stomach
· Scootching their bottoms across the floor!
· Rice-like objects found around base of the tail
The good news is, dogs on monthly preventives for heartworms, fleas and ticks, are also usually protected against whipworm, hookworms and roundworms.
Bottom Line: The eggs from hookworm, roundworms and whipworm can be found in ground contaminated by infected feces decomposing into the soil. Be sure to immediately clean up after your dog. Even if they don't have the symptoms, it never hurts to check for worms periodically.
There are different medications for each type of worm. It's not pleasant, but, if possible, bring a sample of your dog's stool to your veterinarian, for positive identification and successful treatment.
Humans walking barefooted in contaminated areas, also need to be careful!
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