The idea of worms infesting your dog’s internal organs is not only unpleasant; it can also take a toll on your fur baby’s day-to-day life and overall health. Since worms in dogs is a common problem, it’s crucial that you understand its common symptoms so you can take your pet to the vet immediately. The sooner you seek professional help, the better chances your dog has in surviving intestinal parasites.
If you’re curious about worms in dogs, you’ve read the right article. We’ve compiled some of the most important information about intestinal worms in dogs.
How Can Dogs Get Worms?
Dogs usually get worms when they ingest eggs or larvae in other dogs’ feces, contaminated soil, or infected fleas that they lick on their own fur. After the worm larva enters your dog’s body, it will hatch and attach to your dog’s intestinal wall, where it will grow into adult worms.
Your dog can also get worms through transmission from their mothers. Worms can migrate across the placenta of a pregnant dog, or your dog can ingest larvae from their mother’s milk.
Different types of worms can infect dogs, and some types are easier to spot than others. For instance, tapeworms are easy to identify because they resemble grains of rice in your dog’s stool. Conversely, heartworms are difficult to diagnose because an infected dog only shows subtle symptoms once the disease has worsened into a more advanced stage. This is one of the reasons why tapeworm infection is more challenging to treat in dogs.
What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Worms In Dogs?
Early diagnosis is crucial in treating worms in dogs, which is why dog owners like you should know which symptoms to look out for. Being equipped with this information will make it easier for you to determine when you should take your dog to the vet.
Coughing
Coughing is a common symptom of worms in dogs and is often caused by hookworm, roundworm, or heartworm disease. Dogs infected by heartworms will usually have a dry and persistent cough, unlike a normal cough that’s strong and infrequent. During the early stages of the infection, your dog will cough after exercising. This happens because the heartworm parasites are slowly migrating into your dog’s lungs and create a blockage made from oxygenated blood.
Similar to heartworms, roundworm infections will also cause coughing as the roundworm larvae migrate to the lungs of your dog. For hookworm infections, your dog will only exhibit coughing in severe cases.
If you notice that your dog is coughing more frequently, take them to the vet immediately. Infected animals can recover from the infection, but only if they’re treated right away.
Vomiting
Another common symptom of worms in dogs is vomiting. Every type of worm is known to cause vomiting in dogs, but the appearance and texture of the vomit may vary. For example, dogs with whipworms usually vomit a yellow-green substance, while dogs with hookworms, tapeworms, or roundworms may vomit small worms. In most cases, worms are visible in your dog’s vomit.
However, keep in mind that vomiting can also be triggered by other health issues, such as indigestion and stomach upset. It’s best to talk to a veterinarian immediately if your dog frequently vomits, as they can easily diagnose problems and improve your pet’s health ASAP.
Diarrhea
Canine diarrhea and soft stools can be a result of worms. When left untreated, diarrhea can cause dehydration in dogs, which is why it’s important to visit a veterinarian immediately.
Aside from diarrhea, adult dogs with hookworms usually have blood in their stools. Bloody diarrhea develops as the infection worsens, leading to chronic bloody diarrhea when left untreated.
Blood loss is a serious health risk for dogs infected with worms. This is especially true for dogs with heartworms. Blood loss can cause lethargy, high blood pressure, and heart failure. Don’t take chances – talk to a vet if you see blood on your dog’s stool.
Low Energy
Does your dog suddenly dislike going on walks? Dogs that have low energy and are less active than normal may be showing symptoms of worms. Worms can cause lethargy in dogs as they take blood and nutrients from your dog’s body. Even if you give your dog the healthiest kibble, the worms will only suck the nutrients, making your dog weak and prone to illnesses.
Hookworms, in particular, are dangerous enough to kill puppies due to the sudden loss of blood. Even in adult dogs, blood loss can be fatal when not treated immediately.
Pot-Bellied Appearance
Often, symptoms of worms in dogs are visible in their appearance. For example, most dogs will have a pot-bellied or bloated appearance when they’re infected with worms. Roundworms usually cause this type of symptom.
A pot-bellied or bloated appearance is usually exhibited by infected puppies who pick up worms from their mothers. This transmission occurs either before giving birth through the placenta of the infected mother or after birth during nursing.
Although common in puppies, they’re not the only ones who develop this type of symptom. Even adult dogs can show a pot-bellied appearance once infected with worms. Regardless of your dog’s age, if you notice that they start to look bloated all the time, seek professional help. When left untreated, this symptom can cause intestinal blockages in your dog’s small intestine.
Change In Appetite
If your dog suddenly loses interest in eating or starts eating more than usual, roundworms might be the culprit. Roundworm infections can affect a dog’s appetite, causing them to eat less or more than usual. Both of these symptoms can have detrimental effects on your dog’s health.
Even though your dog has increased appetite levels, they can still lose a lot of weight if roundworm eggs are present in their bodies. As mentioned, worms will absorb all of the vitamins and minerals from your dog’s food, which can eventually cause deficiencies in your dog. This can trigger rapid weight loss in canines.
Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss can also be triggered by tapeworms or whipworms. This happens because the parasitic worms feed on the nutrients found in your dog’s stomach. As mentioned, weight loss can occur even if your dog exhibits increased appetite levels.
Similar to vomiting, weight loss can also be a symptom of other health issues. If your dog eats normally or more but still loses a lot of weight, talk to a vet immediately.
Dull Coat
The appearance of your dog’s coat also helps you determine if they have worm infestations. If you notice that your dog’s coat suddenly becomes dry and dull, they might have contracted worms. The appearance of rashes and excessive hair loss are also signs of worm infections.
There are many types of worms that can cause dull coats in canines, so speak to a vet the moment you notice these symptoms. Having an unhealthy coat increases your dog’s risk of infections and cuts.
Skin Irritations And Itching
Most dogs show signs of skin irritation and severe itching due to worm infections. These skin irritations may include rashes, dry spots, or mange.
If you see your dog scratching excessively to the point where they would rub their “bottom” on the ground, set an appointment with the nearest vet. The skin acts as a barrier against infections, and having poor skin health can make your dog sick.
Visible Worms In Fecal Matter Or Fur
Some worms, such as tapeworms, can appear as small moving segments in the area around your dog’s anus or fur. Roundworms, on the other hand, are often visible in your dog’s stool. These worms look like moving pieces of rice, or if they’re dry, will look like hard yellow specs.
How Can You Get Rid Of Worms In Dogs?
Although worm infestations are common, this doesn’t mean that you can’t protect your dog from this disease. In fact, there are many ways to ensure that your dog lives a worm-free life.
Here’s how you can get rid of worms in dogs:
Schedule A Vet Appointment
If you suspect that there are worms in your dog’s system, reach out to a vet immediately. Taking action immediately is important as this will prevent the infection from worsening.
When left untreated, intestinal worms can migrate to other organs in your dog’s body, including the eyes, brain, heart, lungs, and liver. A severe infestation can cause several illnesses, including sudden death.
Collect A Sample Of Your Dog’s Stool
For the vet to determine which type of worm is affecting your dog, they might require you to collect your dog’s stool sample at home. You’ll only need a teaspoon-sized sample for this one.
If you can’t collect a fecal sample at home, the vet will collect a sample once you arrive at your appointment. The vet will use the sample to microscopically identify the presence of whipworms, hookworms, or tapeworms.
Deworming Medications
After the vet has examined your dog and analyzed their fecal sample, they will determine the best deworming medication suitable for your fur baby. The vet will either prescribe an injectable or oral dewormer that can kill adult hookworms and other types of worms. Your vet might also recommend monthly preventive medication that can be applied topically.
Listed below are common deworming medications:
Oral Dewormers
“Broad-spectrum” prescription medications can be used to treat roundworm, whipworm, and roundworm infections but must be carefully administered according to your vet’s instructions. Depending on the severity of worm infestation, the vet might require multiple doses to kill the larvae that might have hatched after the first dose was given.
Oral dewormers don’t usually cause severe side effects to dogs. But if your dog has a large worm burden during the treatment, expect that they might experience diarrhea, vomiting, and temporary loss of appetite. These reactions are normal as the worms are killed or paralyzed by the medication and passed from your dog’s system.
Injectable Dewormer
Your vet might also recommend an injectable dewormer to treat worm infestation in your dog. This type of medication works by paralyzing and dislodging the worms from your dog’s intestinal wall, allowing the worms to easily pass in the feces.
Injectable dewormers may cause local injection site reactions, such as swelling, pain, and inflammation. These reactions are normal and usually go away after a few days.
Over-The-Counter Remedies
While over-the-counter remedies might seem like the most convenient solution to your dog’s worm infestation, vets don’t recommend taking this route. Every dog is different, and giving them over-the-counter remedies is never a guarantee to treat adult roundworms and other worm infections. In some cases, over-the-counter remedies might even do more harm than good.
Always consult with a vet before medications to your dogs. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re giving medications that are actually safe and effective for your fur baby.
Partner With A Vet
Worms in dogs shouldn’t be taken lightly as this can significantly affect the health of your dog. Leaving the problem untreated can become the reason why your dog will become weak, sickly, or have a shorter lifespan.
To know more pet health tips, work with a vet. They can make your life easier as a dog owner as they have the tools and experience to diagnose and treat all intestinal parasites in canines. Their expertise can go a long way in making sure that your dog is healthy!