Can You See Worm Eggs in a Dog's Stool?

Intestinal worms can threaten your dog̵7;s health, causing weight loss, diarrhea and anemia. Worm eggs are microscopic, but you might see evidence of two kinds of worms in your dog̵7;s poop. Although it̵7;s not a pleasant task, it̵7;s a good idea to examine your dog̵7;s poop from time to time to look for signs of worms.

  1. Worms

    • Dogs commonly develop four types of intestinal worms: whipworms, hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms. Roundworms and tapeworms can be seen in your dog̵7;s feces, unlike hookworms and whipworms. A dog can get worms in a variety of ways, including through nursing if his mother is infected, from contact with contaminated soil, by eating an infected flea or by killing and eating infected birds or small animals. Roundworms, as their name suggests, are round and look like pieces of spaghetti in your dog̵7;s poop. Tapeworms are long, flat and divided into segments. You̵7;ll probably see only small segments, no bigger than a grain of rice, in your dog̵7;s feces or stuck to the fur by his anus. The segments contain eggs, although the eggs are so small you won̵7;t be able to see them.

    Symptoms

    • It̵7;s possible for your dog to have worms without any noticeable changes in his feces. That̵7;s why it̵7;s important to know the symptoms of a worm infestation. A dog with intestinal worms gradually becomes ill as the worms begin to grow in his body. You might notice that your dog loses weight, experiences bouts of vomiting or diarrhea, or produces poop covered in mucus. He might appear unhealthy, and his coat might lose its normal glossy sheen. Anemia can be a particular problem if your dog is infested with hookworms, because the worms suck blood from small intestine walls. Dogs with anemia have little energy and their gums are very pale.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Your veterinarian diagnoses a worm infestation by checking a sample of your dog̵7;s feces under a microscope. The PetMD website advises pet owners to mention if they̵7;ve seen tapeworm segments because these worms don̵7;t show up well in fecal tests. Once worms are diagnosed, your veterinarian will prescribe a deworming medication. Your pet will need another dose of the medication about three weeks after the first dose to kill any new worms that have hatched since the first dose.

    Human Transmission

    • You and your family can catch roundworm and hookworm from your furry friend if you don̵7;t take precautions. Roundworm larvae damage your body̵7;s tissues, affect the nerves or cause eye damage, while hookworms can damage your intestines and other organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your dog has been diagnosed with any type of worms, cleanliness is particularly important. Clean up your dog̵7;s feces promptly to ensure that other dogs or people don̵7;t come in contact with them. Wash your hands after handling feces.