Dog Worm Symptoms

Roundworm Symptoms

• Roundworm, the most common of the worms, is spread from mothers to puppies and can also be passed to humans. Symptoms include weight loss and an enlarged stomach. Female roundworms can lay up to 200,000 eggs a day for a year, according to articlealley.com, which will block the dogs intestines and could lead to death. Accordingly, dogs should receive immediate treatment if roundworm is diagnosed.

Hookworm Symptoms

• Hookworms are also intestinal parasites and feed on blood in dogs' intestinal walls. Symptoms include anemia, vomiting and bloody stool, but the best way to determine if your dog is infected with hookworms is to take a stool sample to the vet for analysis. Hookworm can be passed to humans but causes only minor skin breakouts.

Tapeworm Symptoms

• Tapeworms are long, flat and, not surprisingly, look like a piece of tape. They are spread to dogs by fleas, and symptoms include itching around the anus, weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting and nervousness. If you suspect your dog has been infected by them take him to the vet immediately.

Whipworm Symptoms

• Whipworm is found in dogs' colons and are too small to see, according to articlealley.com. Whipworms, which bury their heads into dogs and suck blood, get their name from their whip-like shape, according to wormsinogs.org. Symptoms include anemia, flatulence, weight loss, bloody diarrhea and blood loss. Dogs contract whipworm by ingesting the eggs, and infestation must be treated with whipworm medicine.

Heartworm Symptoms

• Heartworm is the most serious of all worm diseases because it can kill dogs. It is often difficult to detect right away because heartworms are not evident until they mature, and it can take up to nine months for that to occur. Symptoms include weight loss, breathing trouble, a dull coat, fainting and an enlarged abdomen, and if left untreated can lead to heart failure and death. It is important to regularly give your dogs medicine to prevent or kill heartworm.