Worms In Dogs: Where Do I Find Them?

Worms in dogs can be a persistent nuisance, as well as a bit of a gruesome subject. Nevertheless, knowing where to look for worms in dogs and how to identify them is still important. To minimise the risk of your dog being at harm from worms, it is better to have a clear understanding of them.

Where To Look

Worms in dogs can be looked for in two places. Even if your dog is up-to-date with their de-worming, you should still look for worms regularly. The worm’s type will determine their size, colour and shape. You will find they are generally a white to tan colour. Growing up to seven inches in length, ringworms are the largest you will find infested in dogs.

Vomit

The nature of a worm’s lifecycle means there is a fair chance of your dog passing them up in their vomit, especially if they are infected with ringworms. As ringworms reach their third stage of development, they migrate towards the lungs. Their presence in the lungs will generate coughing in the dog. When the dog coughs the worms reach the throat and may be passed into the stomach. They then stand a chance of being vomited.

Whenever your dog vomits, be sure to give it the once over for worms. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you find worms.

Faeces

Worms can also be found in a dog’s faeces. Have your dog’s faeces checked for worms every couple of months, as well as checking it yourself.

If you notice quarter to half-inch sized broken segments around your dog’s rectum or in their faeces then it is likely your dog has been infected with tapeworms. Live tapeworms appear to expand and contract. When they die they will look like sesame seeds or uncooked rice.