Protecting Pets and Humans From Worms in Dogs
The term ‘worms in dogs’ is used to describe many different internal parasites which can infect our pets. Treatment for worms in dogs can be bought at veterinary surgeries and pet shops and it is important to use them 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 called 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. Mature roundworms live in the intestines, where they feed on the contents. In other words, they eat your dog’s food! In severe cases, there can be several roundworms inside one dog. This explains why dogs with severe infestations are malnourished, have dull coats and lack energy.
Roundworms can remain dormant in cysts inside the muscles of adult dogs. They then reawaken later on, often at times of stress. It is very common for them to be awoken by pregnancy, prompting them to migrate around the body and infect the unborn puppies. Even giving the mother dog worm treatment will not get rid of the worms in the unborn puppies. This is why worms in dogs are such a big problem to new born puppies.
Soil becomes contaminated with eggs when they are released with a dog’s faeces. 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. The larvae can migrate through the child’s body, potentially causing permanent eye damage if they end up behind the retina. Regular treatment for worms in dogs is therefore vital for responsible dog ownership.
