Worming dogs
Protecting your dog against worms is as much a part of pet care as good diet, and the right sort of exercise. Worms are important because they affect the condition of your pet and they can be unhealthy for you and your family. Two types of worms affect dogs: Roundworms and Tapeworms. Both are intestinal parasites which can be found in any dog although infection is easily treated.Roundworms
There are several kinds of roundworms including hookworms, whipworms and lungworms. But the most important and most common is called Toxocara. Virtually all puppies are born infected with Toxocara canis. They can also become infected from their mothers' milk or the environment. In puppies roundworm infestation can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, anaemia, a pot-bellied appearance and a failure to thrive. In most adult dogs the number of worms is few and as a result there are few clinical symptoms. Humans infected with roundworms, usually from ingesting contaminated soil (eggs take two weeks to become infective after being voided in the dogs' faeces), can show respiratory, abdominal and eye problems, very rarely leading to blindness.
Treatment Regime
Younger dogs (less than one year of age) and pregnant bitches or those in season are responsible for most of the environmental contamination with roundworm eggs. Microscopic Toxocara eggs are present in the faeces of infected animals. These eggs can remain in the soil for 2 years or more after the faeces have disappeared and many will be infective. Therefore they can be picked up quite simply by accidental swallowing of the eggs from the ground. This is why crawling babies and toddlers are most at risk as they tend to put dirty fingers and toys in their mouths. Once swallowed, Toxocara eggs release larvae into the intestine. These larvae travel through the body until they die which can take several years. Plenty can be done to help prevent this happening:
- Regularly dose your dog with a reliable wormer - roundworms are killed with highly effective and safe drugs, the best of which can be obtained from the veterinary surgeon. Puppies should be wormed at 2-4 week intervals from 2 weeks of age to 12 weeks, and then monthly until they are 6 months of age. Thereafter it is recommended to worm every three months on an ongoing basis. If your dog always stays indoors every six months is satisfactory.
- Encourage good hygiene after handling the puppy, especially before eating.
- Do not leave children unsupervised with your puppy.
- Always clear up immediately after pets foul the floor.
Heavy infestations can cause anal irritation, digestive disturbances and ill thrift, they are aesthetically unpleasant as the segments, which resemble cucumber seeds or rice grains leave via the anus to deposit their eggs. The most common tapeworm in dogs is Dipylidium caninum which is contracted when the dog eats an infected flea. For obvious reasons tapeworm therapy should be accompanied by vigorous steps to control any associated flea problems. Humans can be infected by ingesting the eggs of a particular type of tapeworm to produce Hydatid disease. This disease is largely confined to those areas where there is frequent contact between dogs and extensively grazed sheep, or where dogs are fed on uncooked horse flesh, e.g. Hunt kennels.
Treatment Regime
Advice on the control of tapeworms along with the most suitable medication can be acquired from the practice.