How to Get Rid of Worms in Dogs: The Complete Guide

Finding out your dog has worms can be distressing for any pet owner. These intestinal parasites are not only unpleasant to think about but can also cause serious health issues for your canine companion if left untreated. The good news is that with proper knowledge and veterinary care, most intestinal worms in dogs can be effectively treated and prevented.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the most common types of worms affecting dogs, how to identify them, treatment options, and prevention strategies to keep your furry friend healthy and worm-free.

Understanding Intestinal Worms in Dogs

When we talk about worms in dogs, we’re typically referring to parasites that live in your pet’s digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). These unwelcome guests feed off your dog’s nutrients and can cause various health problems ranging from mild discomfort to severe illness, especially in puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems.

Intestinal parasites are surprisingly common in dogs of all ages, breeds, and living environments. Understanding the different types of worms, their life cycles, and how they affect your pet is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Common Types of Worms in Dogs

Several species of intestinal parasites can affect dogs, each with unique characteristics and health implications. Here are the most common types:

Roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina)

Roundworms are among the most common intestinal parasites found in dogs, especially puppies. These parasites resemble spaghetti – long, white, and cylindrical. Adult roundworms live in the affected dog’s intestines, consuming partially digested food.

Puppies can become infected with roundworms before birth or from their mother’s milk. Older dogs usually get roundworms by ingesting eggs from the environment or consuming infected prey animals like rodents.

Left untreated, roundworms can cause serious health issues in dogs, including:

• Poor growth and development, especially in puppies
• Pot-bellied appearance
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Intestinal blockage in severe cases

Hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala)

Hookworms are smaller than roundworms but equally dangerous. These blood-sucking parasites attach to the intestinal lining and can cause significant blood loss, leading to anemia, especially in puppies.

Dogs can become infected with hookworms through multiple routes:

• Ingesting hookworm larvae from the environment
• Skin penetration when walking on contaminated soil
• Puppies can get hookworms from their mother’s milk

Severe hookworm infections can be life-threatening, particularly for puppies, causing:

• Anemia (decreased red blood cells)
• Weakness and lethargy
• Bloody diarrhea
• Poor growth and even death in severe cases

Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis)

Whipworms have a distinctive whip-like shape with a thicker front end and long, thin back portion. They embed their thin end into the lining of the large intestine and cecum, causing irritation and inflammation.

Dogs typically become infected by ingesting whipworm eggs from contaminated soil or other environments. These parasites are particularly problematic because:

• They’re one of the most difficult worms to eliminate
• Their eggs can survive in the environment for years
• Infections can be chronic and recurring

Symptoms of whipworm infection may include:

• Chronic weight loss
• Chronic watery, bloody diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Anemia in severe cases

Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia species)

Tapeworms are flat, segmented parasites that attach to the intestinal lining using hook-like mouthparts. The most common species affecting dogs is Dipylidium caninum, which is transmitted through fleas.

Unlike other intestinal worms, dogs get tapeworms by ingesting an intermediate host (like an infected flea) rather than directly from the environment. When a dog swallows an infected flea during grooming, the tapeworm is released and develops in the dog’s intestines.

Tapeworm infections often show these signs:

• Rice-like segments in feces or around the anus
• Scooting or dragging their bottom
• Excessive licking of the anal area
• Weight loss in heavy infestations

How Dogs Get Worms

Understanding how dogs become infected with intestinal parasites is essential for effective prevention. Most of the time, dogs get worms through these common routes:

• Ingestion of parasite eggs or larvae from contaminated soil, water, feces, or food
• Mother-to-puppy transmission through the placenta or mother’s milk
• Ingesting intermediate hosts such as fleas (tapeworms) or rodents (roundworms)
• Skin penetration by certain parasites like hookworm larvae
• Consuming raw or undercooked meat containing parasite cysts or larvae

Puppies are particularly vulnerable to worms due to their immature immune systems and close contact with their mothers. This is why regular deworming is especially important for young dogs.

Signs and Symptoms of Worms in Dogs

Identifying the presence of intestinal worms early is crucial for prompt treatment. While some infected dogs may show no obvious symptoms, especially in mild cases, watch for these common signs:

General Symptoms

• Visible worms or egg segments in feces or around the anus
• Diarrhea, sometimes with blood or mucus
• Vomiting, occasionally with visible worms
• Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
• Pot-bellied appearance, especially in puppies
• Dull coat and poor overall condition
• Lethargy and weakness
• Excessive gas
• Scooting or dragging the bottom across the floor

Parasite-Specific Symptoms

Some symptoms are more commonly associated with specific types of worms:

• Roundworms: Pot-belly, vomiting of worms, poor growth in puppies
• Hookworms: Pale gums (anemia), dark or bloody stool, weakness
• Whipworms: Chronic weight loss, bloody diarrhea that comes and goes
• Tapeworms: Rice-like segments in stool or around anus, scooting

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult your veterinarian promptly. Many of these signs can also indicate other health problems, so professional diagnosis is essential.

Diagnosis of Worms in Dogs

While finding worms in your dog’s poop might seem like a straightforward diagnosis, proper veterinary testing is still necessary. Your veterinarian will likely use several methods to identify the specific type of parasites affecting your dog:

Fecal Examination

The most common diagnostic tool is a fecal examination, which may include:

• Direct smear: Examining a small sample of fresh feces under a microscope
• Fecal flotation: A more thorough test where parasite eggs are concentrated and identified
• Centrifugal flotation: An enhanced method that increases the likelihood of finding parasite eggs

Multiple fecal samples may be needed since parasites don’t shed eggs continuously. Your vet might request samples collected over 2-3 days for more accurate results.

Physical Examination

Your veterinarian will also perform a thorough physical examination, checking for symptoms like:

• Poor body condition
• Pale gums (indicating anemia)
• Distended abdomen
• Evidence of dehydration

Treatment for Dogs with Worms

Once diagnosed, the good news is that most intestinal parasites can be effectively treated. Your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medication based on the specific type of worms identified.

Deworming Medications

Various deworming medications (anthelmintics) are available, including:

• Pyrantel pamoate: Commonly used for roundworms and hookworms
• Fenbendazole: Effective against multiple worm types including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
• Praziquantel: Specifically targets tapeworms
• Milbemycin oxime: Used in many monthly heartworm preventatives, also effective against intestinal worms
• Selamectin: Topical product that treats and prevents various parasites

These medications work by either paralyzing the worms so they can be passed in the stool or by disrupting their digestive processes.

Treatment Protocol

The typical treatment protocol involves:

• Initial deworming to kill adult worms
• Follow-up treatment 2-4 weeks later to kill newly matured worms
• Additional treatments may be necessary for stubborn infections
• Fecal examination after treatment to confirm success

For puppies, deworming typically starts at 2-3 weeks of age and is repeated every 2-3 weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months of age.

Supportive Care

In severe cases, particularly with hookworm infections causing anemia, additional supportive care may be necessary:

• Fluid therapy for dehydration
• Iron supplements for anemia
• Blood transfusions in life-threatening cases
• Nutritional support

Prevention of Worms in Dogs

Preventing worm infections is much easier than treating them. A comprehensive prevention plan typically includes:

Regular Preventative Medications

• Year-round monthly heartworm preventatives that also control intestinal parasites
• Regular deworming schedule as recommended by your veterinarian
• Flea control to prevent tapeworm infections

Environmental Management

• Promptly remove feces from your yard and public areas
• Clean and disinfect areas where pets eliminate
• Prevent access to potentially contaminated areas like wildlife habitats
• Avoid letting your dog drink from standing water sources

Lifestyle Management

• Feed commercial, cooked food rather than raw diets
• Prevent hunting and scavenging behaviors
• Regular veterinary check-ups including fecal examinations
• Good hygiene practices, including washing hands after handling pets

Human Health Concerns

Some intestinal parasites that affect dogs can also infect humans, making proper parasite control important for both pet and human health. These zoonotic parasites include:

• Roundworms: Can cause visceral larva migrans or ocular larva migrans in humans, especially children
• Hookworms: Can cause cutaneous larva migrans or “creeping eruption” in humans
• Certain tapeworms: Rarely, humans can become intermediate hosts for some dog tapeworms

To protect family members, especially children:

• Practice good hygiene, including handwashing after pet contact
• Keep children’s play areas free from pet feces
• Cover sandboxes when not in use
• Maintain regular parasite prevention for pets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I get worms from my dog?

A: Yes, some intestinal parasites that affect dogs can also infect humans. These include roundworms, hookworms, and certain tapeworms. Good hygiene practices and regular parasite prevention for your dog are the best ways to reduce this risk.

Q: How often should I deworm my dog?

A: Adult dogs typically need deworming 2-4 times per year, but this varies based on lifestyle and risk factors. Puppies need more frequent deworming, starting at 2-3 weeks of age. Your veterinarian can recommend a specific schedule based on your dog’s individual needs.

Q: Can I see worms in my dog’s poop?

A: Sometimes. Roundworms and tapeworm segments may be visible in feces or around your dog’s anus. However, hookworms and whipworms are usually too small to see with the naked eye, and many infections don’t result in visible worms in every stool sample.

Q: Are over-the-counter dewormers effective?

A: Over-the-counter dewormers may be effective against certain parasites, but they’re often not as broad-spectrum as prescription medications. Additionally, without proper diagnosis, you might not be treating the specific parasite affecting your dog. Veterinary guidance is recommended for the most effective treatment.

Q: Can my indoor dog get worms?

A: Yes, even dogs that spend most of their time indoors can get intestinal parasites. Parasites can be brought in on shoes, through other pets, or via vectors like fleas. Regular preventative care is important for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle.

Conclusion

Intestinal worms are a common health concern for dogs, but with proper knowledge, regular veterinary care, and appropriate preventative measures, you can protect your furry friend from these parasites. If you suspect your dog has worms, don’t delay in seeking veterinary care. Early detection and treatment not only benefit your pet’s health but also help protect the human members of your family.

Remember that a comprehensive approach to parasite control—including regular preventative medications, good environmental management, and lifestyle considerations—is the most effective strategy for keeping your dog worm-free and healthy throughout their life.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta