Pug puppies need deworming shortly after birth. Veterinarians assume all puppies are born with roundworms, a common parasite, and treat with deworming medication. Roundworms pass to the puppies from dormant larvae that reactivate during a dam's pregnancy. If left untreated, roundworms stunt normal growth, cause a pot-bellied appearance and can lead to pneumonia if worms migrate to your pug's lungs.
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First Deworming at Two Weeks
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Deworming during the first few weeks in a pug's life can clear adult roundworms from the intestine and prevent an infestation. However, several dewormings are required to interrupt the parasites' cycle of mating and maturation.
Medications Don't Kill Worms
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Deworming medications only "anesthetize the worms located in the intestinal tract," according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. The medication "does not affect encysted larvae." Once the worms are numbed, they pass with the stool and die outside the host's body since they cannot survive in that environment.
Second and Third Deworming
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To rid the intestines of roundworms, a second and third deworming should be scheduled with your vet. Several weeks after the first dose, additional dewormings target roundworms that were too immature in their cycle to anesthetize. At about six months, during the time you prepare your pug for spay or neutering, provide your vet with a stool sample to ensure your pug is parasite-free.
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