A worm infestation can have a negative impact on your dog's health and wellness, causing many problems that range from causing discomfort to threatening your dog's life. While most worms can be detected in a dog's feces, many manifest in other physical ways. Different worms will have different effects on your dog's health. Your veterinarian can prescribe a worming regimen specific to your dog's particular infestation.
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Roundworms
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Dogs with roundworms will exhibit a poor coat and a round, tight stomach. A dog with roundworms may exhibit a non-productive cough, and sometimes the worms are visible in vomit or feces. Roundworms in the lungs can sometimes cause bronchitis.
Hookworms
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Since hookworms feed on a dog's blood, signs of infestation often include a lack of energy, diarrhea, anemia and weight loss. Hookworms in puppies can be particularly dangerous.
Tapeworms
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Dogs can get tapeworms from just one flea on their coat. Dogs with tapeworms will often drag their rumps across the floor due to irritation. Tapeworms will show up in feces or on the fur around the anus. They resemble pieces of rice.
Whipworms
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Whipworms are difficult to detect because the dog does not usually exhibit clear symptoms. Nevertheless, diarrhea with a tar-like appearance often accompanies a whipworm infestation.
Heartworms
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An infestation of heartworms in dogs can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms of heartworms are similar to those of heart disease, such as a bloated abdomen and exhaustion after light exercise. Dogs with heartworms will often exhibit a dry cough that produces a foamy mucus.
Treatment
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Your veterinarian can take a fecal sample to determine exactly what worms you dog may have. Once the worm infestation has been diagnosed, she can prescribe a worming regimen particular to the type of worm.
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