A Guide to Worms in Dogs
Responsible dog owners should understand the consequences of worms in dogs and the potential harm they can cause to people too. Worms in dogs are internal parasites which can lead to ill health in dogs as well as humans.
Although worms in dogs do cause damage to their health, there are often no symptoms until the damage is already being done. Worms in dogs are undoubtedly hard to spot but look out for vomiting and diarrhoea as well as general loss of condition. Roundworms and tapeworms are the two types of worms in dogs.
Roundworms
Roundworms can appear to be coiled in the shape of a spring, can grow to around 10cm in length and are pale white or beige coloured. You may be able to see them in your pet’s faeces or vomit. Dogs become infected with roundworms when they ingest their larvae, permitting the adult worms to develop inside the dog’s body. When further eggs are later passed out of the dogs in faeces, the life cycle is completed. Unfortunately, the most common roundworm to affect dogs is known as the Toxocara Canis and it can affect people, particularly children. When children ingest eggs as a result of contact with contaminated soil, larvae can grow in their bodies and migrate around the body. If they reach the eyes, the larvae can potentially damage the eyesight. This is just one of the reasons why it is so very important to clean up after your dog.
Tapeworms
You may be able to see evidence of tapeworms in your dog’s faeces or around his anus: they look like flat segments filled with what look like moving grains of rice but are actually eggs. Dogs become infected with tapeworms by swallowing fleas carrying their larvae whilst grooming. An adult worm inside the dog can be as long as 5 metres.
As with most conditions the old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ is true of worms in dogs. It is therefore important to ensure your dog is wormed every three months. Worming should be carried out even more regularly than that in young puppies. Many effective wormers are available from pet shops and veterinary surgeries at affordable prices: ask your vet for the most appropriate one.
