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Roundworms in DogsRoundworms in dogs are the most common parasite of the digestive tract in dogs.
Roundworms, often called "ascarids", or "spool worms", are thick-bodied, whitish-to-cream-colored worms that can live in the intestines of dogs (and cats).
Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite that affect dogs and puppies (and cats and kittens). In fact, it has been found that about 95% of newborn puppies
are born with roundworms! Roundworms may be contracted in different ways, making them easy to spread and hard to control.
Roundworms can cause health problems to puppies and dogs, as well as to humans. It is therefore important to learn more about this parasite.
Roundworms in Dogs - How Do Dogs Get Infected?Dogs can get infected with roundworms in a number of ways:
Symptoms of Roundworms in Dogs
The symptoms of roundworms in dogs depend on the age of the dog affected, the stage of maturity that the worms are in, and their location in the dog's body.
Usually, the younger the puppy, the more serious symptoms it will show. Some adult older dogs can develop a resistance to the worms and may not show any symptoms.
If adult worms are in a dog's intestines, the dog will show the following symptoms:
Diagnosis of Roundworms in DogsRoundworms in dogs are diagnosed by using a microscope to look for eggs in a stool sample. Sometimes adult worms may be seen in the feces or vomitus. The worms are round on cross-section and look a bit like spaghetti. Since many puppies are infected with roundworms, fecal testing for worm eggs is a must for puppies, and it is also a good idea for adult dogs having their annual check up. TopConventional Treatment for Roundworms in DogsConventional treatment involves the use of deworming products to kill adult roundworms. These deworming products, however, only kill the adult worms - they do not affect the migrating or encysted larvae. Therefore, repeated deworming is necessary. However, these deworming products contain toxic chemicals that can cause adverse effects on the growing puppies, such as poor growth, diarrhea, and appetite loss. Therefore, before using these products, consult with a vet and get a thorough examination to see if the affected puppy actually has a serious worm problem. If your puppy has a very serious infestation, then by all means use the conventional deworming treatment under the supervision of a veterinarian. However, if a puppy's worm problem is not particularly serious, a healthy diet enriched with Vitamin A and other natural remedies as described below may be sufficient to get rid of the roundworms. TopNatural Remedies for Roundworms in DogsIf your puppy is not serious infested with roundworms, you may want to first try the following natural remedies because they are safer and more gentle on the pup's body. Try the following remedies for at least 3 weeks. If the worms are still there, then consider the conventional deworming treatment. Homeopathy for Roundworms in Dogs The homeopathic remedy Cina is effective in preventing and getting rid of roundworms.
Health Care for Dogs with WormsA dog with worm infestations is very often weak due to malnutrition (the worms rob the dog of a lot of essential nutrients) and/or anemia. It is therefore important to replenish the supply of essential nutrients to strengthen up the dog's immunity. Diet While your dog is being treated for worms, it is essential to feed him foods that are nutritious. A diet high in protein and fat is desirable (e.g. 40% of the diet should come from meat or eggs). Add fish oil to the dog's food for fat supply. Improve Digestion Even if you feed your dog nutritious foods, he cannot get all the nutrients he needs if the foods are not fully digested. To ensure that he can properly digest the foods and absorb the nutrients, feed him supplements of digestive enzymes and probiotics.Related Topics Dog Worms Whipworms in Dogs Hookworms in Dogs Tapeworms in Dogs References D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999). R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000). Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005). M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999). TOP of Roundworms in Dogs |
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