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Care of your dog: Worms
It is estimated that
four out of every five Australian dogs carry intestinal
worms. Not only can worms make your dog sick, some species
of worms can also be transferred to humans, with children
being most at risk.
Together with information about the most common
gastrointestinal worms, we have also presented here an
outline of our recommended worm
control programme
for dogs. We gratefully acknowledge Bayer (maker of
Drontal®
Allwormer tablets for dogs) for their permission to use the
diagrams below.
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Hookworms
in dogs reach 5-19 cm in length and can infect
animals from the environment. This occurs when they
are ingested or penetrate the skin of paws and
legs. They can also be transferred to pups through
their mother's milk.
Hookworms cause a variety of clinical signs,
including weight loss, poor appetite, bloated
abdomen, black tar-like diarrhoea, dehydration,
enteritis and lethargy. Severe infections can be
fatal.
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Roundworms
reach 9-19 cm in length. They can infect dogs by
ingestion, across the placenta, or be transferred
to pups through their mother's milk.
Roundworms cause a variety of clinical signs,
including coughing, diarrhoea, vomiting, bowel
obstruction, pneumonia, a dull coat, and a swollen
abdomen. Severe infections can be fatal.
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Whipworms
may reach 4-7 cm in length, and can only infect
dogs when worms are swallowed.
Clinical signs include abdominal pain, anorexia,
pale eyelids and gums, dehydration, smelly bloody
diarrhoea and weight loss. Infection in adult dogs
is generally not as serious as infection in
puppies, which can be fatal.
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The
Common Flea Tapeworm
grows to 50 cm in length, and infects dogs after
ingestion of infected fleas.
This tapeworm causes irritation and itching around
the anus but is not considered to be a major health
risk.
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The
Hydatid Tapeworm
grows to 7 mm in length, and is found in areas
where sheep and dogs (or kangaroos and foxes) are
in contact.
While this tapeworm does not cause significant
clinical signs in dogs, infection of humans can be
life-threatening. Humans contract hydatids by
swallowing eggs found on the coats and in the
faeces of infected dogs.
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Control
of Gastrointestinal Worms in your dog
Regular
de-worming of all dogs, including puppies and pregnant
bitches, will minimise infestation of your pet and prevent
infection of humans.
It is
also important to maintain a hygienic
environment:
- Remove
faeces from litter trays and children's sand pits and
dispose of thoroughly
- Clean
sleeping areas regularly
- Feed
your dog quality cooked or tinned meat - no
offal
- Always
wash your hands after handling your pet and before
eating, and remember that it is particularly important
for children to be taught this!
- Do
not let pets lick your face
- Use
a complete flea control programme
De-worming
your dog
A
wide variety of dog de-wormers are available from our Hospital,
including basic Allwormers and
combination medications which also cover heartworm
prevention and aid with flea control. Both palatable chews
and tablets are available. (If you need a little help to
give your dog pills, read our advice on the best method to
give
your dog tablet medication.)
Allwormer
preparations should be given every three months to adult
dogs, however, for dogs in Hydatid Tapeworm areas this
should be done every six weeks. Pregnant or lactating
bitches should be treated before mating, ten days before
whelping, then two and four weeks after whelping. Pups
should be de-wormed at two, four, six, eight and twelve
weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age, then
every three months as for adult dogs.
If
you would like any advice on gastrointestinal worm control
in your dog, please don't hesitate to give
us a call,
or drop in and speak with one of our
staff.
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Drontal®
is a trademark of Bayer A.G. Leverkusen,
Germany.
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