Responsible Pet Ownership Means Preventing Worms In Dogs

We use the term ‘worms in dogs’ to talk about a variety of different internal parasites which our dogs can pick up. Owners can buy treatments for worms in dogs from pet shops and veterinary practices and should use them regularly. Worming is a vital part of responsible dog care.

In the UK there are two types of worms in dogs which are very common. They are known as roundworms and tapeworms. Unfortunately many puppies are born with a roundworm infection so they are very hard to avoid. This underlines the importance of regular worming, especially for puppies.

Whilst roundworms will not show symptoms in some dogs, they can have much more serious consequences than other worms in dogs. Mature roundworms live in the intestines, where they feed on the contents. This effectively means that the roundworms eat your dog’s food! In severe cases, there can be several roundworms inside one dog. It isn’t surprising to find a heavily infested dog can be malnourished, lacking in energy and displaying a dull coat.

Inside adult dogs, roundworms may remain dormant in cysts inside the muscles. They then awaken in times of stress. Often, pregnancy reawakens the larvae and they migrate around the body and infect the unborn puppies. Treatment for worms in dogs administered to the pregnant bitch cannot rid the unborn puppies of their worms. This is why worms in dogs treatments for puppies are vital.

mature worms release eggs which are passed in the dog’s faeces leading soil to become contaminated. Then other animals ingest the worms when snuffling in the soil. However, the most common roundworm in the UK, the Toxocara Canis can also infect children when they touch contaminated soil or sand pits. The larvae can migrate through the child’s body, potentially causing permanent eye damage if they end up behind the retina. Regular treatment for worms in dogs is therefore vital for responsible dog ownership.