COMMON WAYS ON HOW YOUR DOG CAN GET WORMS
There are multiple ways that your dog can get infected with worms, but here are the common ways:
Usually, the dog will shed the egg or larva through their feces. This can be mixed into the soil where the eggs can survive for many years. When other dogs come in and swallow the soil, they can easily get infected, especially during a walk in the park.
Animals like rodents, birds, and rabbits can ingest the eggs and pass it on to your canine companion when they devour the small animal. Some tapeworms can pass through an intermediate host after the dog eats them. That’s why it’s essential to watch your dog and to prevent him or her from looking for animal carcasses.
Many species of tapeworms live in the fleas body. Once your dog ingests it, they can quickly get infected.
The roundworm larvae can be transmitted from the placenta to the puppy before they are even born. The larvae can pass through the mothers milk to infect the puppies during the lactation period.
The deworming schedule depends on the dogs age and product that he or she is taking. For example, puppies should be treated every 2 to 3 weeks with two or three treatments to eradicate the hookworm or roundworm.
For adult dogs, it depends on the type of parasite or worm on the microscope of the stool. Keep in mind that the heartworm preventatives are effective in destroying hookworms and roundworms as well as preventing whipworms.
The veterinarians usually don’t treat pregnant dogs until after delivery. This is mainly because most of the puppies will be born with roundworms, despite how often the adult dogs are treated.
There are various deworming medicines available for dogs. The products are based on which type of worms are in your dogs system. The most common medications are:
Dog owners should be aware that some breeds are sensitive to some products, so it’s vital to check with your veterinarian before using any deworming medication. For example, Ivermectin from Iverhart Plus can cause a severe reaction to breeds like Collie or Australian Shepherds.
Your veterinarian can recommend or prescribe medication that can get rid of the type of infection that is diagnosed on your dogs stool sample.
HOW CAN I DEWORM MY DOG NATURALLY?
Roundworms and parasites can make your dog very sick. However, veterinarians can effectively treat your four-legged friend with deworming medication.
Unfortunately, some pet owners feel that these substances can cause undesirable side effects, and would like to go for a natural home remedy before resorting to prescription medication.
Luckily, we have listed some natural deworming remedies that can help get rid of these nasty critters.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DEWORM MY DOG?
It depends on the dog and the location. An adult dog should be treated every three months, and to also obtain monthly heartworm and flea medication. It’s highly recommended that you check the cover of the product.
If your monthly product does not have tapeworm treatment, then you should consider a tablet that contains praziquantel like Drontal or Cazitel.
If you have a puppy that is vulnerable to worms, then they should be treated more often. Puppies should be dewormed every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old. Then they should switch to a monthly preventative treatment until they are six months old. After that, they can be treated every three months.
Dogs in rural areas are highly susceptible to worm infections. They should be treated for tapeworm every three months, but if they live in a region where there’s a lot of animal carcasses, then they require treatment every 6 to 8 weeks.
There are other preventative methods, which include:
Can I feed my dog after deworming?
Parasites or worms are common issues that veterinarians often encounter. There are different types of infections that are seen in both puppies and dogs. This could include hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, Coccidia, and tapeworms.
Your vet can recommend the proper deworming medication depending on the type of infection your pet has. This is often determined with a stool sample and an examination of the dog. Before treating your canine companion, it’s vital to check with the veterinarian beforehand.
If you notice that your dog has symptoms of fatigue, diarrhea, weight loss, or abnormal fur color, then it’s time to bring him to the vet for a stool sample.
If your dog is diagnosed with worms, here are some insights on what you need to know when deworming dogs and puppies.