Could my dog be infected with worms?
As your dog smells, barks, and scratches its way through life, not a care in the universe, eating everything it wants, rolling around in unpleasant things, doing all the things that make being a dog enjoyable. Then out of nowhere, you might notice unpleasant company hanging around for the trip. One such unwelcome hanger-on could be worms.
Thankfully, you can notice and guard your dog from worms early. This can keep them from progressively getting worse, which makes life easier for you and your dog.
Some of the signs your dog may have worms:
* Diarrhea, especially if it has blood in it.
* An itchy rear. If you perceive your dog scratching its rear on the floor or against furnishings, it may be bothered by worms in this area. Another scenario is that they are having issues with glands in these areas, not with worms.
* Worms or eggs in the dog's feces - Yes, this is the most common way to notice if your dog has worms. Keep in mind, though, that not all types of worms can be seen by the naked eye.
* Vomiting, perhaps even with visible worms.
* A dull coat
* Loss of appetite
* Dehydration leading to more thirst and as a result, more frequent urination.
* Noticeable worms in the fur or in the vicinity of the rear - Tapeworms might look like small moving segments in these areas, which can later dry out.
* Weakness, more hunger, weight loss - If your dog is infected with worms, the worms are robbing your dog of necessary nutrition. Your dog could be eating but still be fragile or constantly hungry, and even could be dropping weight.
* Bloated belly - This is a common sign when puppies have had worms transmitted from their mom.
How dogs can become infected with worms:
Heartworms many times are transmitted from mosquito bites. Tapeworms can come about from swallowing contaminated fleas or other insects. Hookworms can come from ingesting their eggs or larvae. They might be transferred from inside the womb of an infected mother. If the larvae are in water, consuming contaminated water can end in hookworm infectivity. Watch where your dog consumes its water from and keep it from drinking dirty water. Roundworms can contaminate a mother's fetus. Ingesting contaminated dead animals can also result in roundworms. Whipworm contamination occurs from eating or drinking infected water or food.
Preventing worm symptoms in dogs: Ask your vet to test your puppy early on, as early as 3 weeks after they're born. They could already be infected with worms and need quick action. Take your dog to your vet annually for examination and have a stool sample taken. Regularly give your dog products that prevent roundworms and heartworms. Use products that keep fleas off your dog. Fleas can give your dog tapeworms if they ingest them. Keep your home and carpets clean. Keep your dog away from wild animals or other likely sources of parasites, like drinking from puddles or other dirty water sources. Stop your dog from eating dead animals. Carcasses can spread worms. Keep your dog from consuming feces. This is the most typical way a dog can get intestinal parasites.
If your dog shows symptoms of being infected with worms, please visit your vet to figure out what the issue might be. Treating your dog with the best care can keep your dog healthy and prevent problems in the future.
Does your dog have worms? Are you keeping your house and carpet clean for your pets and family?. This article, Could my dog be infected with worms? is released under a creative commons attribution license.
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