Worms in dogs are a common issue. Worms can cause different health problems in your dogs. They can be infected by different worms like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and more. Luckily, they express different signs and symptoms.
Common signs your dog
has worms include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pneumonia, and
weakness. They can also suffer from lack of growth, malaise, coughing, and
scooting. Skin inflammation, weakness, and anemia can also hint at worm
infection.
You must be aware of these symptoms so that you can treat them
to wellness. Let’s explore how to figure out these signs and what to do to
prevent worms from infecting your furry babies.
Commons
Signs Your Dog Has Worms
Worm infection expresses some common symptoms. Here are some common
signs you should be aware of:
● Vomiting: Dogs infected with
worms often vomit and throw up. If this happens regularly to your dog, you must
check on the vomit. You will notice a yellow-green substance if there are worms
in your dog's body.
● Diarrhea: Worms can reach the
digestive tract of your dogs. They can interfere with the nutrient absorption
and diarrhea. Diarrhea caused by worms can have a tint of blood.
● Coughing: Coughing is another
common sign of worms in your dogs. Coughing becomes frequent and severe when
infected by heartworms.
● Weight loss: You are providing
good food, but still, the dog is losing weight? This can be a vital sign of
worms. They take part in nutrient consumption, and your dog suffers from
nutrition.
● Loss of appetite: Worms can reach the
gastrointestinal tract of your dogs. As a result, your dog feels inflammation
and irritation when digesting food. It leads them to eat less than usual. If
you see such signs, you should consult with a vet.
● Lack of growth: Since your dog
cannot eat properly and the food nutrition is shared with worms, your dog
suffers from a lack of nutrition. As a result, the growth is interrupted and
gets slower.
● Weakness: Physical weakness
can be a vital sign that your dog has worms. As they cannot enjoy the food
nutrition properly, they lack energy. They may sit or lie around idly.
● Scooting: It is not a part of
their usual behavior. So, when you notice that your dog is scooting excessively
and chewing at their bottom, you must be concerned. This can hint at worms
infection.
● Pneumonia: If your dog is
affected by worms for a longer period, it can develop into pneumonia. The rise
in temperatures, persistent coughing, and labored breathing are the major
signs.
● Poor coating: If there are worms
in your dogs, you can tell it from their coat. Their coat becomes drier. Your
dog will continuously lick their body or skin. This can be a sign of worms.
What to Do
When Your Dog Has Worms
If you notice the signs of your dog having worms, you should
take some immediate action. Here are some effective tips to follow:
● Take your dog to a nearby vet or professional.
Provide them with a fecal sample for testing.
● If any medicine is prescribed, maintain the
regularity of administering the medicine
● You must maintain good hygiene for your dogs.
Make sure they are not getting exposed to dirt or debris.
● Clean and disinfect the living area of your
dog to reduce reinfestation risks.
● Different types of worms require different
treatments. Ask your ver for instructions and do accordingly.
How to
Prevent Worms Infestation in Dogs
You should be mindful of worms from the young age of your dogs.
It requires proper care from a young age to adulthood as well. Here are some
effective precautions to follow to protect your dogs from worm infestation:
● Always maintain a clear habitat for your dogs.
Ensure proper disposal of feces to maintain good hygiene.
● You should also take care of fleas in your
area. They can transmit certain types of worms.
● Maintain a clean, disinfected, and healthy
environment for your dog.
● You must start deworming puppies from a young
● Discourage your dogs from hunting or eating
prey animals like frogs.
● You must not feed raw or uncooked meat. Though
they will show interest in raw meats, it is not safe for them. Uncooked meats
can contain pesticides.
● Maintain a routine veterinary checkup. It will
help detect worms early.
FAQ
What does dog poop
look like if the dog has worms?
You can detect worms' presence in your dogs from their stool or
poop. It can contain whole worms that look like spaghetti. Sometimes, there
will be red stains of blood in their stools, too.
How can I deworm my
dog naturally?
If you detect the presence of worms in your dogs, you can feed
them apple cider vinegar. It will create an alkaline-like digestive system that
is not suitable for worms and parasites. ¼ of a teaspoon daily will be enough.
What kills tapeworms
in dogs?
You can use medicine prescribed by the vet to kill tapeworms in
dogs. You can also use natural options like vinegar. However, following the
instructions of an expert is much safer for your dog.
Where do dogs get
worms?
Dogs can pick worms in a variety of ways. It can happen when
your dog catches any prey animals, eats uncooked and raw meats, or plays in the
dirt.
Conclusion
Worms can cause serious issues and health problems in your dogs.
You must be careful of the signs your dog has worms. Once you detect the signs,
you need to take immediate action. But the best is to take preventive steps so
that your dogs do not have to go through unpleasant conditions. You can follow
the above-mentioned steps.