One of the most common problems all our dogs have to deal with is worm infestation. I mean even pregnant dogs that have worms transmit them to her unborn baby, which means the little pup will be born already with worms. There are different kinds of worms and many times, each kind will necessitate a different approach and treatment. Here are the common dog worm types that beset our pets today.
Roundworms. These worms have a spaghetti like appearance and the symptoms of these include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of weight, a dull coat and a pot belly. Roundworms can grow up to around 7 inches which makes it dangerous if they are left untreated because they will cause obstruction to the passageways of critical areas in your dog’s body, namely the intestines.
Keep in mind that soil and dirt are breeding grounds (no pun intended) for the roundworm. Of course you cannot stop dogs from going out and playing around in the dirt but take the necessary measures and keep your home as clean as possible. Do not let the dog inside all the rooms and disinfect his particular area
as often as possible.
Hookworms. Hookworms are internal parasites that latch on the intestinal wall of its host and suck the blood, causing intestinal bleeding. They are thin worms with sharp teeth and the symptoms of this are diarrhea, anemia, low energy and a bloody stool. Unfortunately, hookworms can be transmitted simply by contact (walking on infested soil, contact with an infested animal). Moreover, hookworms can be fatal to pups so veterinary check-ups are extremely important.
Tapeworms. Tapeworms are usually transmitted through fleas, and its symptoms include nervousness, pain in the abdomen, vomiting and itching in the anus. They are long and tapered parasites that can be found in dog stool, and even his anus.
Whipworms. Whipworms are similar to the hookworm as they also feed off the intestines of their hosts, causing severe bleeding in some cases. They are quite difficult to completely remove so consistent de-worming remedies should be faithfully given to dogs with this particular infestation. Symptoms of whipworms include anemia, flatulence, loss of weight and blood in the stool.
Pinworms. As with most worms, pinworms can be suffered by dogs and humans alike. These worms are pearly-white strands of wiggling parasite that can grow up to 2 to 13 millimeters long. Female pinworms lay eggs in the anus region of their hosts in the evenings so expect dogs with pinworms to suffer severely itchy butts. If he often “butt-scoots†or drags his rear-end to relieve it of its itchiness, he probably has some form of worm infestation.
Identifying worms can be impossible with the naked eye. You need to have the dog’s stool sample checked by the vet to verify what particular internal parasite your dog is dealing with. The earlier you discover what ails your dog the better so you can treat him with the proper remedies right away. Share this useful guide on dog worms types to your friends and help them help their dogs have a better life today.
