Posts Tagged ‘dog worms’

What You Must Know About Dog Worms

If you’re a dog owner then, at one time or another, you will have to treat your dog for a worm infestation. These freeloaders are sometimes a mere irritation and at other times a serious health risk. Some merely take nutrients from the food the do eats, others can cause illness and even death.

It therefore makes sense to be informed, and in this article we discuss the warning signs you should look out for, and the steps you need to take to rid your dog of worms.

There are actually several species of worms that infect dogs, including roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, tapeworms, whipworms and heartworms. The most common of these are roundworms and hookworms. These parasites carry the additional danger in that they are zoonotic, meaning they can also be transmitted to humans, with children particularly at risk.

If that’s not reason enough to get your dog treated immediately, then bear in mind that worms are a serious health hazard to the dog. They can lead to weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. In more serious cases they can cause damage to tissue, organs and the intestinal wall.

So what are the signs and symptoms to look for? Common symptoms include weight loss, no appetite, lack of energy, depression, vomiting, coughing and diarrhea. You may also notice that the dog begins to develop a distinct, “pot belly”.

If you notice these symptoms you should take your dog to the vet for an examination, as soon as possible.

The good news is that it’s quite easy to get rid of worms. The vet can prescribe something, or you can even use one of the many over-the-counter remedies to eradicate these parasites. Be aware though that these drugs are actually pesticides and prolonged usage may result in other health problems for your dog.

In recent years a number of companies have released natural de-worming products. These are said to be very effective, without the risks associated with chemicals, so you may want to give them a try.

The scenarios we’ve discussed thus far all refer to a dog that already has worms. But there are also a number of measures you can take to prevent a worm infestation. For starters you can ensure that your dog is kept free of fleas, a major vector for tapeworm.

Secondly, if the area you live in has a heartworm risk, speak to your vet about a preventative medicine. This is important because a severe heartworm infestation can kill a dog.

You should also take care to keep your dog’s living area clean, and pick up faeces from your yard and garden as soon as you can.

One last point, always speak to your vet before giving your dog a de-worming product, even if it is a natural product.

Visit http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com to learnmore about dog worms, dog care, dog breed info and other helpful dog information.