What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Worms in Dogs

Nobody likes the thought that their dog might be infected with some type of worm. The thought of creepy crawlies inside their dog’s internal organs is unpleasant. However, due to their social natures and outdoor lifestyles, most dogs are at risk of contracting worms sometime during their lifetime.

There are many types of intestinal parasites that can infect your dog; however, there are five main types of worms that commonly affect domestic dogs: roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms and heartworms.

Worms in dogs can cause severe medical issues and health conditions if left untreated. For this reason, it is imperative that you discuss a dog worm prevention protocol with your veterinarian. It’s very important that you know how to spot common symptoms of worms in dogs, ways to prevent your dog from being infected and how to prevent the presence and spread of worms in and around your home and family.

Here’s what you need to know about worms to keep your dog and family safe.

How Worms in Dogs are Contracted

Some of the most common ways worms are passed to dogs include:

• Contaminated milk from mother when nursing
• Rolling in, sniffing, eating, stepping in or licking contaminated dirt
• Consuming infected prey like rodents, birds or reptiles
• Being bitten by or ingesting infected mosquitos, fleas or ticks
• Coming into contact with an infected dog or another infected animal
• Consuming or coming into contact with an infected animal’s feces or vomit

Types of Canine Worms

Here are the five most common types of worms that infect dogs (and a skin fungus that isn’t a worm infestation at all):

• Roundworms

Roundworms are the most common type of worms found in dogs. They grow to 3-5 inches long and resemble a piece of wet spaghetti. Roundworms are often transmitted via the nursing process or having contact with an infected animal.

• Tapeworms

Tapeworms in dogs have long and flat segmented bodies. They can grow to 8 inches in length. Tapeworms are most often transmitted when a dog comes in contact with an infected animal that is carrying tapeworm eggs, usually a bird, rodent or flea.

• Hookworms

Hookworms are very small and reside in the small intestine. They grow to 1 inch and feed on the blood of the host. They can cause life-threatening anemia in dogs of all ages, but especially puppies. Hookworms are passed through feces and can infect humans as well as other animals.

• Whipworms

Whipworms are about ¼ inch long. They reside in the cecum and colon and can cause considerable damage to these organs. Whipworms are found throughout the U.S., but are more common in the southeastern states where it is warm and humid.

• Heartworms

Heartworms in dogs reside in the heart and pulmonary arteries. They are transmitted only by the bite of a mosquito. They migrate throughout the body until they finally rest in the circulatory system. Heartworms are preventable and treatable, but can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated before the advanced stages of infestation. It is much better to prevent heartworms than to try to treat them.

• Ringworm

Ringworms are not caused by a worm at all. They are a skin disease caused by a fungus that create a “ring” of lesions and sores on the outer layer of the skin. Ringworm is curable but the disease is painful and takes a long time to treat.

Symptoms of Worms in Dogs

It’s important that dog owners know what to look for when it comes a worm infestation. Most of the time, by the time you see symptoms, the infestation is pretty far along. Some of the most common symptoms of worms in dogs include:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Weight loss accompanied by a marked increase or decrease in appetite
• Diarrhea/chronic soft stools
• Chronic coughing
• Coat becomes dull
• Loss of hair
• Skin irritation and/or inflammation
• Rubbing or dragging hindquarters on the ground
• Visible presence of worms or segments of worms attached to the skin and fur in the anus/hindquarters area
• Visible presence of roundworms in stool (look like tiny grains of rice)

Treatment of Dogs with Worms

Worms in dogs are generally treatable, as long as they are diagnosed and treated before they infestation becomes too far advanced. Your veterinarian can prescribe the proper type and dose of deworming medication, based on the parasite and extent of the infestation.

It is highly recommended that you take your dog to a licensed veterinarian if you suspect your dog has worms. Only your veterinarian can determine the severity of the infestation and then order the proper treatment, as well as any other recommendations for your individual dog.

Dangers to People

Some types of worms in dogs, like roundworms, are very dangerous if a person becomes infected. This is especially true for children, who often play in areas frequented by animals who may be infected. Sandboxes, dirt and sand play areas are often favorite elimination spots for dogs, cats, raccoons and other animals. Approximately 10,000 children per year in infected with parasitic worms. Worms in children can cause severe conditions, including blindness.

Tips to Prevent Worms in Dogs (and People)

Preventative measures are very helpful when it comes to ensuring people and dogs don’t become infected with worms. Here’s what you can do to protect your fur baby and family:

• Give puppies initial treatment at 3 weeks of age
• Treat nursing females as well as her litter in case worms were not detected in a previous fecal exam
• Monthly dog worms preventative medication, given year-round as prescribed by your veterinarian
• Fecal examinations by your veterinarian given 2-4 times per year, depending on lifestyle habits
• Prompt detection and intervention in the form of a dewormer for dogs
• Clean up backyard feces at least 2-3 times per week
• In public parks, playgrounds and dog parks, immediately dispose of feces with sanitary gloves and sealable bags
• Keep your home sanitary include limiting internal exposure to contaminated soil, fecal matter and/or host animals
• Stress hygiene in public, and especially with children, by limiting or avoiding exposure to potentially contaminated objects, locations, animals or people

Deworm Puppies and Newly Adopted Dogs

Both puppies and newly rehomed adult dogs should be dewormed. Puppies should be dewormed at 3 weeks of age and then as directed by your veterinarian. A monthly heartworm preventative that also helps prevent intestinal parasites should be administered. Your veterinarian may recommend an annual dewormer protocol that can be monitored and adjusted as needed.

When it comes to adopting an older dog, no matter the age or documented history, all dogs should receive a dewormer when adopted, then again as recommended by your veterinarian, with a monthly dewormer for dogs preventative as directed by your veterinarian.

If you suspect your dog has worms, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian right away. The symptoms of worms in dogs can also indicate other illnesses, making it even more imperative that you get in to see your veterinarian as quickly as possible if you witness or suspect any of the above-listed symptoms in your dog.

In your experience, are there any other dog worm prevention techniques that should be added to the list above? Please share with the rest of the Canine Campus community in the comments below.