There are various characteristics of a dog with worms that you need to recognize. Also find out what causes worms in dogs and how to deal with them below!
Worms are one of the most common health complaints experienced by dogs. These conditions can trigger serious problems.
To prevent your beloved pet at home from experiencing it, you need to know the causes of worms in dogs. However, prevention efforts may not always work. There is just a gap for worms to enter the dog's body.
Well, you also need to know the characteristics of a dog with worms and how to deal with them. Check out the full explanation in the following review.
Characteristics of Worm Dogs
Symptoms of worms in dogs can vary depending on the type of parasite that is causing it. However, there are some signs of worms in dogs that you can pay attention to.
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain, characterized by a distended stomach
- Weight loss
- The dog's coat looks unkempt
- The dog looks lethargic
- The dog is dehydrated
- Malnutrition
- Anemia
- Intestinal blockage or pneumonia
- Bleeding in the stool (bright red or dark purple)
“Dogs with intestinal worms often rub their buttocks against the floor or walls. Usually dogs also walk with a little shuffling. In fact, in cases of severe worms, the dog's skin looks yellow, especially on the eye mucosa and gums
Actually, signs of worms in dogs are quite difficult to recognize. If you find the above symptoms in your pet, visit the vet immediately to get a thorough examination.
If not handled properly, intestinal worms can cause serious health problems. This disease can infect other dogs. In fact, several types of worms can infect humans.
Therefore, always clean up dog poop carefully and make sure your pet is always healthy.
Causes of Dog Worms
There are four types of worms in dogs that commonly cause infection, namely roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms.
Some roundworms, such as Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine, can even absorb nutrients from infected dogs.
Maybe you are wondering why dogs have worms? Actually, worms in dogs are a relatively common condition. This is because worms called intestinal parasites can attack dogs through various modes of transmission.
Here are some conditions that cause worms in dogs, namely:
1. Transmission from the Mother Dog
Roundworms and hookworms can penetrate the uterus. That is why, the condition of puppies with worms can occur from birth.
Worms can also be transmitted through the mother's milk. This is a very common route of roundworm infection.
2. Dogs Swallow Contaminated Soil
The main source of infection with roundworms, hookworms and other whipworms in dogs is contaminated soil.
The parasites live in the intestines and lay their eggs in the dog's faeces, then are excreted and contaminate the soil. After a while, the feces on the ground will disappear, but the parasites persist for years.
Dogs are usually infected when grooming themselves and consuming something in contaminated soil. Soil that is also swallowed will cause the dog to have intestinal worms.
3. Walking on Contaminated Soil
This type of hookworm can be contagious even when dogs walk on contaminated soil. The parasite can penetrate any part of a dog's skin when it comes into contact with infected soil, such as a leg or stomach.
4. Eating Other Infected Animals
Dogs can also get intestinal worms if they eat other contaminated animals, such as rats.
Roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, and whipworm infections can all be transmitted this way. What's more, rodents can catch worms in the same way as dogs.
5. Transmission from Dog Fleas
Tapeworm infection is the only intestinal parasite that can be transmitted by ticks and no other way. A dog will only get it if it eats a flea carrying tapeworm eggs.
How to Deal with Worm Dogs
One of the most recommended ways to deal with worms in dogs is to use deworming drugs. However, the dosage of the drug and the duration of its use must be with a doctor's advice.
Not all worms respond to the same treatment. The use of deworming drugs without a doctor's prescription is not recommended because they are less effective.
The vet must first confirm the condition of the dog through a stool examination. After knowing the type of worms in dogs, the drug and the right dosage are determined.
This deworming medication for dogs is used to stop the reproduction and eradicate worms from the dog's body. Treatment will be effective if you also regularly clean the dog's cage and environment.
Regular visits to the vet and monthly deworming can help protect your dog from heartworms and intestinal parasites.
Giving deworming drugs every month to pregnant dogs can also prevent worm infections from decreasing to puppies from the time they are in the womb to weaning. Later, puppies can start taking deworming drugs after the completion of the nursing period.
Here are some other ways to help dogs avoid worms:
- Dog cleaning routine. Dogs that have had worms can become infected again if the environment is not clean
- Avoid being exposed to other pets for too long
- Use flea medication on your dog to keep his coat clean and prevent tapeworms from laying eggs
- Don't let your dog eat rodents, wild animals or carrion
Having a dog means you have to take care of it to keep it healthy. One of the ways is by paying attention to cleanliness so that your pet rabbit is not infected with worms.
If you find dangerous symptoms in your dog, such as diarrhea, weakness, lack of appetite, vomiting, and others, contact your veterinarian immediately
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