Question by What.. EVER: Are people supposed to de-worm their adult dogs?
The vets I’ve taken my dog to have never told me to do so. But then I read online about people who keep de-worming their dogs. After thorough research though, I have learned that de-worming practices are thought to be the cause of auto-immune diseases.
So what have you been told? Has your vet told you to de-worm your dog regularly? I’m not talking about puppies, I know that has to be done… I’m talking about adult dogs with good health.
Best answer:
Answer by Tulip
I thought you had to use a basic dewormer dogs ever 1month is what our vets told us, even for my adult dog. He also recommend for adult dogs 3yearly vacination, NOT Yearly one like originally..
The vets advised us, as heartworm treatment is not neccessary for our dog, as he hasn’t seen a case of heartworm in 15years in Victoria.I am in victoria australia. He said if you came from Queensland then heartworm test would be essential as its different conditions
Believe it or not, in many cases you may not even be aware that your dog has worms.
Some worms, such as tapeworms, are visible – you’ll see them clinging to the skin or hair around your dog’s anus, and also in your dog’s poo.
But not all worms show themselves.
In fact, the only way of finding out in some cases, is to have your dog’s faeces analyzed.
Is it dangerous to leave worms untreated?
In some cases, apart from slight irritation, your dog may not be too concerned about a mild worm infestation.
However, there are a number of internal parasites (worms) which can be life threatening, particularly in large numbers. Your dog could even develop a hypersensitivity to worms, which can cause serious complications.
Nearly all dogs and cats get worms and even animals which look in tip-top condition can carry them. A pet with worms can be quite difficult to diagnose as it may not show any outward signs of ill health. It is important to worm your animals regularly as some types can occasionally be dangerous to human health.
It’s a roundworm!
Roundworms are pinky-white and curled like a thin coiled rope. If your animal is infected, you will probably be able to see the roundworm in faeces or vomit. The eggs are so tiny they can’t be seen. Most dogs carry toxocara canis – a common roundworm.
In adult dogs the roundworm has a complicated life cycle. It grows from larva to adult worm inside the body. Worms and eggs are passed out in the faeces where the eggs develop into larvae. Another dog eats the larvae and the life cycle begins all over again.
Roundworms can also lie dormant in the muscle tissue of bitches and queens and are activated during pregnancy. They can then pass across the placenta infecting unborn young. Puppies and kittens born with roundworms can become sick or even die if they are carrying lots of worms.
It’s a tapeworm!
Tapeworms look like long strips and are made up of flat segments filled with eggs which break off. The segments can come out one at a time and visibly twitch and move. You can sometimes see them moving on the skin near the animal’s anus or on the floor.
Dogs and cats are never born with tapeworms. One of the most common ways they pick them up is through fleas. Tapeworms can live in fleas which feed on the cat or dog. The animal then eats the flea when it grooms itself and the tapeworm continues life inside its new host. Common tapeworms do not usually infect humans.
Is it worms?
If you see any worms on your animal wrap them up in damp cotton wool and take them to the vet who will be able to identify them and treat the animal accordingly.
If your dog or cat starts losing weight and its coat becomes coarse or harsh, this could be a sign that unwelcome visitors have arrived. Infected puppies and kittens often have a distended abdomen. A dog or cat dragging itself about on its rear or licking its bottom more than usual may also be infected.
Worm worries
Sometimes humans can be at risk from worms, so regular worming of companion animals is important. Toxocara is an infection spread by roundworm eggs. This usually occurs in children who, by playing outside, can pick up infective stages of the parasite on their hands.
Sometimes these eggs develop into larvae which lodge behind the retina in the eye and cause damage or even blindness. To stop this happening, worm pets regularly, wash children’s hands thoroughly before they eat and clean up after your dog with a poop scoop.
Did you know…
Roundworm eggs take about three weeks to become infectious – so only old dog mess can be risky. The eggs can remain infectious for up to two years.
Check it out
Ask your vet for the correct worm treatment.
All adult dogs and cats should be wormed against roundworm every three months, or as advised by the vet, whether you think they have them or not.
Pregnant animals should only be wormed under the supervision of a vet.
Puppies and kittens should be treated against roundworm from a few weeks old or as advised by your vet.
The best way to stop tapeworms is to use an anti-flea preparation advised by your vet. Only worm against tapeworms if you think your pet is carrying one.
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