Responsible Pet Ownership Means Preventing Worms In Dogs
The term ‘worms in dogs’ is used to describe many different internal parasites which can infect our pets. Worms in dogs can be treated with preparations bought from the pet shop or the vet’s and this should be done regularly. Worming a dog is a very important part of responsible pet ownership.
There are two common types of worms in dogs in the UK. They are known as roundworms and tapeworms. Unfortunately, roundworms are very hard to avoid as many puppies are infected at birth. This underlines the importance of worming our dogs regularly, especially during puppyhood.
As worms in dogs go, roundworms can have serious consequences, despite the fact that many dogs which are infested will show no outward symptoms. Adult roundworms live in the dog’s intestine and eats the contents. In other words, they eat your dog’s food! In cases of serious infection there can be dozens of roundworms living inside one dog. This explains why dogs with severe infestations are malnourished, have dull coats and lack energy.
In adult dogs, the roundworm larvae often form cysts within the muscles in which they lay dormant. They then awaken in times of stress. Often, pregnancy reawakens the larvae and they migrate around the body and infect the unborn puppies. Treating the pregnant dog for worms will not rid the puppies of their infestation. This is why worms in dogs treatments for puppies are vital.
Adult worms release eggs which are passed with the dog’s faeces, contaminating soil. Then toehr dogs pick up the eggs from the soil. However, the most common roundworm in the UK, the Toxocara Canis can also infect children when they touch contaminated soil or sand pits. Worm larvae can migrate around the child’s body and will cause irreparable eye damage is they reach the retina. It is therefore very important to regularly treat worms in dogs.
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Tags: Dog Care, worms in dogs