Types of Dog Worms

Roundworms

• Roundworms are a common worm that is found in dogs as well as cats. A roundworm infection can occur in four main ways: from mother to offspring prenatally, through the mother's milk, eating soil that has larvae in it, or by eating a roundworm host such as a cockroach.

  Signs of a roundworm infection in young dogs is a dull coat, slow growth and a potbellied appearance. A veterinarian can detect roundworms in a fecal sample.

  Dewormers such as Piperazine are effective in the elimination of roundworms.
  Roundworms can be transmitted to humans, so children should be advised not to put dirt (which could contain roundworms) in their mouths.

Hookworms

• Hookworms attach onto the dog's intestinal lining and ingest blood and tissue from the intestine. Hookworm infestation can cause blood loss and malnutrition in the dog or puppy. Puppies and adult dogs can get a hookworm through the placenta (from mother to offspring), from the ingestion of dirt, from drinking the mother's milk (if it contains hookworms), ingesting a host that has hookworms or through the pads of the feet while walking on a surface that contains hookworms.

  There are usually no signs of hookworm infestation until it begins to cause blood loss and malnutrition. Then the dog will seem anemic and may have blood in the stool.

  The treatment of hookworm infestation is Panacur dewormer. Humans can get infected by a hookworm mostly from exposure to infected soil; but the infection will typically clear up on its own.

Tapeworms

• Tapeworms can vary in size ranging from an inch to several feet long. Tapeworms live in the small intestine, attaching to the intestine wall. The tapeworm uses fleas as an intermediate host and can be passed to a dog if the dog ingests the flea.

  Tapeworms can be treated by dewormers such as Droncit. Humans can be affected by tapeworms; although tapeworms do not attach to the intestines in humans, they can cause severe illness by affecting the brain, liver and lungs.

Whipworms

• Whipworms live in the intestine of the dog; fastening to the wall in the intestine. Whipworms can cause diarrhea. This diarrhea may cause anemia, and the dog may lose weight.

  Typical treatment is Panacur, a dewormer.

Heartworms

• Heartworms are not an intestinal worm; heartworms are carried by mosquitoes and live in the heart. The larger the dog and the more outside exposure the dog has, the more likely that they could contract heartworms.

  Signs of heartworm disease are a cough, lethargy, loss of weight and heavy breathing after little exertion of energy. Heartworm disease can be prevented by taking a monthly medication--either Heartguard or Interceptor--that is available by prescription through a veterinarian. The veterinarian first tests for heartworms and then the preventative medication is started.