Canine worms are something all pet owners have to deal with. Indeed, it is one of the most common problems that our pets have. The good news is that there are ways to prevent and cure it easily enough. However, when left untreated, it can escalate to more serious health complications that can endanger your dog’s life.
Usually these internal parasites make their abode in the animal’s digestive tract or intestines. Let us take a quick look at the four main types of dog worms and their symptoms in this article today.
Roundworms are perhaps, the most prevalent of these internal parasites. They look like wriggly spaghetti-like organisms that breed in feces and dirt. They feed on the digested food in the dog’s intestines. Hookworms on the other hand, latch on to the intestinal wall and suck the blood out of the dog. Being infected with hookworms can be very dangerous for puppies.
Tapeworms are interesting canine intestinal worms. They have no mouth. Instead, they absorb their host’s food by skin contact. Dogs contract tapeworms by ingesting contaminated fleas. Whipworms are long parasites that are often found in the dog’s colon and feed on the dog’s intestinal wall. They are said to be the most difficult to completely eliminate from the host’s system.
The symptoms for dog worms sometimes vary per type of worm but generally, they display the same signs: vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, weight loss, unusual appetite, dull coat, distended belly and lethargy. In some cases, the dogs may have stool with traces of blood in it. As worm infestation worsens, anemia and intestinal bleeding occurs.
This can be very dangerous for the dog, especially a puppy with a weak immune system. Hookworm infestation, in particular, is not an easy condition to detect and puppies with severe hookworm infection can likely die without much warning. It is important that you bring your dog to the vet to have them tested for the presence of these internal parasites. Because many of these worms are tiny and invisible to the naked eye, stool sample and blood tests may be conducted.
Do your best to provide a healthy diet for your pet because a healthy animal is less likely to be infected by worms. There are also excellent natural worm remedies you can get that are safe and effective for animals. Papaya leaf, for example, lines the intestinal tract of the dog making it almost impossible for the intruders to stay there for very long.
Clean your home frequently to avoid worms. Feces, in particular, are exceptional breeding grounds for canine intestinal worms. Did you know that around 10,000 worm eggs are found in a gram of dog poop? Disgusting I know, but helpful to know. Remove feces immediately and disinfect that area with a saline solution to ensure that all eggs are killed.
Now that you know about canine worms, do your best to keep them from making their home in your beloved pooch. Take care of your dog and enjoy a beautiful and happy dog today!
