Worms are a common yet troublesome issue for dogs and humans alike and can affect dogs at various stages of their lives. From the playful days of puppyhood to the quiet senior years, worms can cause a range of health problems that can be mild to severe. Here's a look at the impact of worms on dogs throughout their lifecycle, with a focus on prevention and treatment.
How worms can affect a dog throughout their life
Puppyhood: Puppies can become infested with worms from birth, through the placenta or via their mother's milk, or by ingesting eggs in the environment. The most common types are roundworms and hookworms, which can lead tooor growth, a pot-bellied appearance, and in severe cases, life-threatening anaemia. Puppies and adult dogs may show several signs that could indicate a worm infestation,including diarrhoea, vomiting, bloated abdomen (pot belly), change in appetite, weight loss and even pale gums. Some infestations may cause a cough if worms like roundworms have migrated to the puppy’s lungs. You might even see worms or segments directly in the pup’s faeces, which can look like small rice-like pieces or be several inches long.
Adolescence: As dogs grow and become more adventurous, they are exposed to environments where worms are prevalent. In addition to hookworms and roundworms, adolescent dogs may also pick up whipworms from contaminated soil.
Adulthood: Adult dogs are still at risk picking up hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm, and can do so from contaminated environments, such as dog parks. In adult dogs, whipworm can cause watery or bloody diarrhoea, weight loss and lethargy. and maintaining a deworming schedule are key to keeping adult dogs healthy and worm-free. This is also important for human health too, as some intestinal worms of dogs (hookworm and roundworm) can be transmitted to humans and cause disease.
Senior Years: Dogs in their senior years can also pick up worm infestations. Therefore, it's important to continue with regular veterinary check-ups and protocols suitable for your pet.
Preventing and treating worms is a lifelong commitment for dog owners. This includes administering regular deworming treatments, practising good hygiene, and controlling fleas, which can carry tapeworms. Environmental cleanliness, such as disposing of faeces and avoiding contaminated areas, play key roles in preventing worm infestations in your pet.
Common Symptoms
Digestive Issues: Dogs may experience diarrhoea and/or vomiting, and you might notice a bloated abdomen.
Weight Loss: Weight loss and changes in appetite could be signs of a worm infestation.
Visible Worms: Sometimes, worms or worm segments can be seen in the dog’s faeces or around the anus. These could resemble small, rice-like segments (tapeworms) or spaghetti-like worms (roundworms).
Lethargy: Reduced energy levels or increased fatigue might be seen when a dog is battling worms.
Potbellied Appearance: This is especially noticeable in puppies with heavy worm infestations.
Anal Itching: Dogs may scoot their butt along the ground or rough surfaces like carpet. They may also excessively lick their anal area due to discomfort caused by worms.
Coughing: Coughing might be seen due to migration of hookworm or roundworm larvae.
Overall Prevention
To prevent worms in dogs, it's important to keep their environment clean, regularly dispose of their faeces, and maintain their living areas. Deworming should be done regularly, following a schedule recommended by your vet, starting from puppyhood. Controlling fleas is also crucial, as they can transmit tapeworms. Limit your dog's exposure to areas with high faecal contamination from other animals and avoid letting them eat rodents or uncooked meat, which can carry worms. A balanced diet and preventive medications, such as NexGard Spectra, are key to keeping your dog healthy and worm-free. 🐾
In conclusion, worms can significantly affect a dog's quality of life at any age. By understanding the risks and implementing a consistent prevention and treatment plan, dog owners can help ensure their furry companions lead a healthy, happy life free from the burden of parasitic worms. .Dogz Online recommends NexGard Spectra as the most complete parasite protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm and intestinal worms, all in one tasty chew but, as always, consult your vet prior to commencing any parasite treatments 🐾
