Roundworms, also known as ascarids or spool worms, live in a dog's intestines and consume partially digested food. They are the most common parasite of the digestive tract in dogs. Roundworms are spread a number of different ways.
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Birth
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Pregnant dogs who have roundworms or have had them in the past can transfer them to their puppies. This is because roundworm larvae can live in a pregnant dog’s uterus. As a result the worms can infect the unborn puppies through the placenta. The immature worms may then enter the puppies’ lungs. Natural Dog Health Remedies notes, “When the puppy is born, it will cough up the larvae which are re-swallowed back into the puppy's digestive system and they will mature in the puppy's intestine.”
Nursing
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Worm larvae also live in the mother's milk, which means a puppy may contract roundworms from nursing. In addition, if a puppy contracts roundworms and the larvae are present in its stool, the mother can become infected again when she licks the puppies.
Roundworm Eggs
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A dog can ingest roundworm eggs. The eggs will hatch in the dog’s stomach and small intestine before migrating through the muscle, liver and lungs. When the worms reproduce, new eggs will be present in the dog's stool. As a result, other dogs are at risk of becoming infected. An infected dog can pass millions of eggs through its feces each day.
Other Animals
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Roundworm larvae can also be found in the tissue of mice, earthworms, chickens, cockroaches and rodents. If a dog eats an infected animal the dog may become infected.
Warning
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If left untreated, roundworms can cause several health problems for your dog, including weight loss, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, pneumonia, breathing difficulties and coughing. In general, the younger the dog, the more serious his symptoms will be. According to Natural Dog Health Remedies, in serious cases roundworms may cause anemia, ruptured bowels or intestinal obstructions. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
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