Does my dog have worms?
Intestinal worms (commonly roundworms, hookworms, whipworms or tapeworms) can be harmful to our dogs and to people (especially children), so it’s important to de-worm your poochy pal regularly all year round. This will help keep them and the rest of the family free from unwanted wriggly intruders.
How can you tell if your dog has worms? It’s unpleasant to think of any parasite living inside our pet. Worms can easily go undetected as healthy dogs usually don’t show any signs of infection, but that doesn’t mean worms won’t be living inside your pet and shedding eggs into the environment.
So does your dog have intestinal worms? Here are some tell-tale signs...
- Bloated stomach
- Upset stomach, vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Sudden increase or decrease in appetite
- Weight loss
- Lack of energy
- Dry or dull coat
Sledging or scooting (when your dog slides his/her bottom along the ground) can also be a sign of worms, but this is often presumed to be a definite symptom of intestinal worms, whereas it could also be a sign of full anal glands! All the signs listed above are not specific to worm infections and could be a result of other ailments, but you can be certain your dog is infested if you can spot worms or worm segments in your dog’s fur around the rear end or in their faeces – when dry the worm segments appear like little grains of rice.
Where do worms come from?
Worm eggs are passed in dog faeces and contaminate the environment where some develop into larvae. They are present in dirt or on soil and can infect your dog when they come into contact during time outdoors sniffing the ground or rooting in the dirt. Your dog is particularly at risk if they hunt and eat wildlife and did you know fleas can carry small tapeworms? The pesky parasites are contracted if the fleas are ingested while grooming.
Puppies are at higher risk and should be treated more regularly than adults. Worms can be passed from the mother to their litter and puppies’ small organs are less able to cope with an infestation.
Worms are a common threat to our canine companions. An untreated worm infection inside your dog’s body can have serious consequences and endanger your whole family as Toxocara roundworms can be passed on to people, especially children. So if you suspect your dog has worms talk to your pet healthcare professional and deworm regularly.
