Puppies often have intestinal worms. In fact, many puppies can be born with worms, having contracted them from their mothers before they were born. Intestinal parasites can cause malnourishment in puppies and can affect their growth. Also, some intestinal worms can be transmitted to humans. It's a good idea to wash your hands after playing with your puppy to reduce the chances of transmission.
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Symtoms of Intestinal Worms
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Puppies can have intestinal worms yet have no symptoms at all. Others may have diarrhea, vomiting, failure to gain weight, blood or mucus in the stool, a poor coat, and depression. There may be bloating of the puppy's belly or discomfort in the belly when you lift the puppy up. Sometimes, you can even see worms in the feces or vomit, or small whitish flecks may adhere to the fur around the anus.
Common Types of Intestinal Worms
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The most common types of intestinal worms in dogs are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Mother dogs often transmit roundworms to puppies in the womb, or puppies can ingest eggs in soil. Hookworms are small, thin worms that fasten to the wall of the intestine and suck blood. Puppies often pick them up in contaminated soil. Hookworm infestation can be a serious condition in puppies. Whipworms look like pieces of thread. Veterinarians must conduct several tests at various stages to detect their presence. Puppies pick up tapeworms by ingesting fleas or eating infested wildlife. You may find segments of the worm that look like grains of rice in the puppy's feces.
Diagnosing Intestinal Worms
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Veterinarians examine feces under a microscope to test for worms. Vets may have to test several times to confirm the presence of intestinal worms.
Treatments for Intestinal Worms
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You can use over-the-counter puppy deworming medications for light infestations of roundworms or hookworms. If your puppy's health seems to be affected by worm infestation, see your veterinarian for the best medications to eliminate worms. Follow-up tests will confirm whether all worms are gone.
Preventing Intestinal Worms in Puppies
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To avoid infestation, you should buy your puppy from a reputable breeder or shelter. Although even puppies from good breeders and responsible shelters can have worms, these places are more likely to have their puppies checked regularly for intestinal parasites. Another way you can prevent intestinal worms is to make sure your puppy's environment is cleaned regularly. Preventing your puppy from walking through or playing near other dogs' waste is important in preventing parasite infestation. Controlling fleas can also help prevent worms. Have your puppy's stool tested every six to 12 months.
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