Do dogs need deworming?
Dogs can be infected by a variety of worms. Veterinarians recommend deworming dogs about every three months as a preventive measure or having their feces examined.
Deworming treatment for puppies
Puppies can already become infected with worms in the womb or through their mother’s milk. That’s why it’s common to deworm puppies for the first time at around two weeks of age. However, this only kills the worms present at that time and does not provide ongoing protection like a vaccination would. If the puppy ingests worms again, they can multiply. For this reason, most breeders repeat the deworming treatment at intervals of about two weeks and continue doing so until two weeks after the puppy is weaned from the mother.
How do dogs get worms?
Adult dogs often pick up worms by sniffing or licking the feces of other animals. It can also happen through direct contact with another dog. Depending on the type of worm, they can also be ingested by eating a mouse, a snail, or a tiny flea. The worms that commonly infest dogs include roundworms, tapeworms, lungworms, hookworms, fox tapeworms, whipworms, and cucumber tapeworms.
Symptoms of worm infestation in dogs
Because there are different types of worms, various symptoms can appear. The most common, however, are diarrhea, vomiting, itching, weight loss, constipation, and a bloated belly. Since symptoms usually only appear when the worm infestation is already advanced, it’s important not to delay seeing a veterinarian.
Parasite treatment for dogs
There is no vaccine against worms. They can therefore continually cause problems for your dog. You have two options to protect your dog: either have its feces regularly tested by a veterinarian or an independent lab, or use a deworming treatment. You can get tablets from your veterinarian or buy them online. The safest approach is to have the feces checked if you suspect worms and then choose an appropriate product. If you’re unsure which to use, it’s best to let the vet decide. They can recommend the right deworming medication and tell you how often it should be repeated. The process is very simple: just give your dog a tablet with a treat.
