If you’re a pet owner, you’ll know that keeping an animal companion is no walk in the park. They have needs that are similar to that of a small child, but unlike children, they never seem to mature. It’s a huge commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Isolation may be the first step in the treatment procedure when dealing with worms. However, many other steps are involved in curbing the spread of the worms. You will have to monitor your pet for the next few days and provide the medication the doctor gave.
If you’ve got yourself a new dog, the first thing to check off the list is making sure they are dewormed. Many parasites can infect your pet. However, it’s easy to help them beat the infection.
Allow me to answer the question of: Should I quarantine my dog with worms, why you should deworm your dog, and how to do it properly!
Can Dogs Have Worms?
Thinking about worms or any microorganism living inside other beings can cause quite a panic. Unfortunately, our four-legged friends get easily affected by such parasites. There are a number of worms that can infect dogs.
The five most common types include,
There are many ways in which a dog may get affected by such infestations. However, studies have shown that most dogs get infected through the environment, fleas, fecal matter, consuming infected food, and from their parents.
Symptoms That Indicate A Worm Infestation In Dogs
While most of the symptoms from different worms can be similar, it’s best to seek a trained professional’s opinion. Once they have confirmed the type of infection, they can provide the proper medication for your pet. But here are a few things to look out for if you suspect your dog to have worms,
- They will be vomiting and might have diarrhea.
- The abdomen will be swollen or distended.
- They will lose weight, and their eating habit will change.
- There may be worms in their feces, or they may excrete blood and mucus along with fecal matter.
- Their fur will be dull and brittle.
If you notice any of these or other distressful signs from your puppy, chances are they might have a health issue and must be taken to the vet.
Should I Quarantine My Dog With Worms?
Usually, most infections do not require pets to be quarantined, but dogs afflicted by worms may infect other pets or animals in the environment. There are also chances of human beings being affected by some of the worms that are present in dogs. Therefore, depending on the type of infection, you will have to quarantine your pet.
You must consult your veterinary doctor to assess whether your furry friend needs to be kept in isolation. They’ll be able to identify your pet’s ailment and proceed to direct you with the proper care for your animal companion.
One essential step to ensure your pup has the best life possible is testing them to ensure they are healthy. Just like every parent takes their child to be inoculated and checked by the doctor, a pet parent must take their furry friend to the vet regularly.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry; isolating a pet that has an infection is a necessary step to protect you, your environment, and your pet.
What Is Deworming, And How Often Should You Do It?
Giving dogs anthelmintic drugs, which will kill parasitic worms that infect their body, is known as deworming. The medicines consumed by the dog will paralyze most worms and kill them. The worms are then broken into smaller segments and will be excreted from the body through excretion.
Deworming is a necessary procedure that every dog must undergo regularly.
Pets are susceptible to being infected by worms. Even with all the precautions in place, they are highly likely to be infected since these worms are prevalent in the environment.
4 Steps To Take If Your Dog Has Worms
Since infection from worms is quite common in animals, you’ll have to look out for signs that your pet may exhibit if such parasites afflict them.
If at all you suspect an infection, here’s a guide to what you can do to help your little one feel better.
1) Contact your veterinarian
This is the first and most crucial step in treating any infectious disease. There’s always a risk of the infection becoming fatal for your pet if you don’t provide timely care. Worms in their body may cause harm to other organs like the heart, lungs, liver, etc. if left untreated for a long duration. Therefore, you must immediately schedule an appointment with your pet’s doctor.
2) Collect a stool sample
Once you’ve contacted a medical professional and scheduled an appointment, they may ask you to bring in a stool sample too! Don’t be alarmed because you’ll only need to take a small number of faces for observation. The vet will most likely want the sample to confirm the infection and identify what worms are infecting your dog.
3) Isolate your dog
Another vital step the vet might ask you to take is isolating your pet in case other animals are living in the same vicinity. This is to make sure there is no transfer of worms from one pet to another.
4) Monitor their intake of medication
After the doctor makes an observation and assesses your pup’s condition, they will provide a prescription that needs to be strictly followed. You’ll have to ensure your pet consumes the medicine as directed by the vet, and you’ll have to administer it according to the vet’s instructions.
How To Prevent Worms In Dogs
There’s no foolproof way to keep your dog from being infected by worms. However, you can minimize the risk by ensuring a few things are done right.
- Always clean up fecal matter and other droppings, so your dog does not come into contact with it.
- Keep them free of fleas and ticks by checking them periodically and using animal-safe products to bathe them.
- Make sure your house and surroundings are pests free. You may have to use pest control products to make sure no rodents or insects are lurking in your surroundings.
- Please avoid feeding raw meat to your pet. Although you may have seen somewhere that a raw diet benefits your dog, there’s no huge difference, so it’s better to give them cooked food free from parasites.
- Finally, keep all your vet appointments and ensure your pets are fully vaccinated. These visits will keep your dog safe and clean, and worm free.
Sources
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) – CAPC is a leading organization dedicated to providing information on parasites in pets, including worms in dogs. Website: https://capcvet.org/
- Journal of Veterinary Parasitology – This peer-reviewed journal often publishes studies on various parasites in animals, including worms in dogs. You can search their archives for relevant articles. Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/veterinary-parasitology
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – The CDC provides information on zoonotic diseases, including parasites like worms that can affect dogs and humans. Website: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I’ve tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs absolutely love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
