“Your dog is fine, but they have a parasite.” We heard these words uttered over and over again to other pet parents when we adopted our dog at a local shelter. It seemed every dog being adopted that day had a “parasite”. These “parasites “ were intestinal worms. Our dog was lucky enough not to have any parasites. So, how do you get rid of these parasites? Deworming medicine for dogs can help get rid of, as well as, prevent intestinal and other worms.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative and should not be taken as medical advice. Talk to your veterinarian regarding any health concerns you may have for your dog.
What Kind Of Worms Can Dogs Get?
There are 4 types of intestinal worms that can infect your dog:
- Tapeworm.
- Hookworm.
- Roundworm.
- Whipworm.
Another type of worm your dog can be infected with:
- Heartworm.
*Although Ringworm has “worm” in its name, it is actually a fungal infection and not an actual worm.*
How Can My Dog Get Worms?
Dogs can get worms from various ways:
- A mother can infect her puppies with worms through the placenta, as well as, through her milk when nursing.
- Your dog may eat feces that is infected.
- If your dog likes to hunt, an infected animal can pass the worms into your dog.
- An infected flea can pass tapeworms to your dog if they ingest it.
An example of how easy it is for your dog to contract worms:
An infected dog goes to the bathroom in your neighborhood and their owner doesn’t pick it up. You take your dog for a walk and on that walk they come across your neighbor’s dog’s poop. Your dog may sniff it or ingest some of it and now the worms have passed on to them. Another way they could catch it is to step in the poop. Later on that night, they groom themselves and lick their paw. Now they have just been infected.
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Worms?
Aside from ringworms and sometimes tapeworms, intestinal worms are microscopic and can’t be seen with the naked eye.
To know for sure that your dog has worms, your dog needs to be evaluated by your veterinarian. A fecal sample will be examined by your doctor and tested for worms. This is why it is important for your doctor to do a fecal test during annual exams.
Other symptoms your dog may exhibit include:
- Enlarged abdomen.
- Loss of appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Lackluster coat.
Worm Types
Let’s go over the different types of worms your dog may encounter. Information for this section was obtained from the Companion Animal Parasite Council.
Tapeworms
How Your Dog Gets It:
Tapeworms are passed to your dog from fleas that are infected with tapeworm larvae. A flea that has this larva is ingested by your dog. This usually happens when your dog is grooming themselves.
What Do They Look Like?
Tapeworms are segmented and may look like a grain of rice.
Where Do They Attach?
Tapeworms attach to your dog’s small intestine. Segments then break off and are expelled through the feces, which is how you may see them in the anal area or tail of your dog.
Symptoms Your Dog May Exhibit:
If you notice your dog scooting a lot and frequently licking or biting their anal area, look to see if you notice anything resembling rice stuck to the hair of your dog in the anal area. This could be a sign your dog has tapeworms.
Can It Be Passed To Humans?
It is rare a dog will pass tapeworms to a human. A person would have to ingest an infected flea to get it. It is more likely to occur in a child who does not know proper hygiene.
How Can It Be Treated?
A dewormer prescribed by your veterinarian can treat and rid your dog of tapeworms.
As a preventative measure, your dog should use a flea prevention product on a regular basis.
Hookworms
How Does Your Dog Get Hookworms?
Your dog can get hookworms one of three ways: ingesting them, stepping in contaminated soil, or from their mother.
Hookworms can be ingested by your dog if they eat feces from an infected animal, if they eat prey that is infected, or if they ingest soil that is contaminated with hookworms.
If there is contaminated soil, your dog may also get hookworms by stepping in the contaminated area.
Lastly, a mother can pass the hookworms to her puppies who ingest infected milk.
What Do Hookworms Look Like:
Hookworms are worms that have a hook-like end, similar to a fish hook, where their head and mouths are.
Where Do Hookworms Attach?
Hookworms attach to your dog’s small intestine. Here, they use their mouths to suck the blood from the intestines. They also reproduce here as well.
Hookworms are able to detach and reattach to various areas of the small intestine. When they move on to another area, they leave behind a bleeding ulcer.
Symptoms Your Dog May Exhibit:
Symptoms your dog may have if they are infected with hookworms include:
- Weakness.
- Malnutrition.
- Decreased appetite.
- Black, tarry stools.
- Vomiting.
- Dull coat.
- Anemia.
Can It Be Passed To Humans?
Humans can get infected with hookworms. If a person steps in soil that is contaminated, it may penetrate into their skin, causing a rash. It may also cause abdominal pain if the larvae migrate to the intestines.
How Can It Be Treated?
Hookworms can be treated with a deworming medicine for dogs recommended by your veterinarian.
Dogs can also be given a monthly preventative.
Roundworms
How Your Dog Gets Roundworms:
Dogs can get roundworms several ways:
Roundworms are more common in puppies and they can get roundworms from their mother. This can happen when the roundworm larvae migrate from the mother and into the puppy in utero by being passed through the placenta.
A puppy can also get roundworms from their mother by drinking milk that is contaminated with them.
A dog may ingest the roundworm eggs. If a puppy ingests the eggs, they may penetrate into the lungs. The puppy then coughs it up and swallows it. The eggs then attach to the small intestine.
An adult dog can ingest roundworm eggs by eating another animal that is already infected.
What Do Roundworms Look Like?
Roundworms tend to look like coiled worms.
Where Do Roundworms Attach?
Roundworms attach to the small intestine.
Symptoms A Dog With Roundworms May Exhibit:
A puppy with roundworms may have:
- Lackluster coat.
- Failure to gain weight.
- A bloated belly.
- Vomiting.
Can Roundworms Be Passed To Humans?
Humans can get roundworms and they are more frequently seen in children. Roundworm eggs are found in contaminated soil that is then ingested. This is more commonly seen in playgrounds and parks.
Roundworms can cause pulmonary or lung disease, neurological issues, and abdominal pain.
How Can Roundworms Be Treated?
Roundworms can be treated by a dewormer recommended by your veterinarian.
A monthly preventative can be given as well.
Whipworms
How Does Your Dog Get Whipworms?
Dogs can get whipworms by ingesting soil that is contaminated with them.
Unlike other types of worms, whipworms can live for YEARS in soil if the conditions are right. They are resistant to extreme temperatures and UV radiation.
What Do Whipworms Look Like?
Whipworms are thick at one end, while the other end is thin and “whip-like”. The majority of their body consists of this whip.
Where Do Whipworms Attach?
Whipworms attach to the cecum, which is where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine and feed on blood and tissue.
Symptoms A Dog With Whipworms Exhibits:
Most dogs with whipworms are asymptomatic, showing no signs of infection.
Some cases can result in diarrhea with blood or mucus.
If it is a severe infection, a dog may have bloody diarrhea or loss of weight.
Can Whipworms Be Passed To Humans?
There is not any evidence that whipworms can be passed on to humans.
How Is Whipworm Treated?
A deworming medicine for dogs recommended by your veterinarian can treat your dog.
Heartworm medication that also prevents whipworm can help your dog as well.
Heartworm
How Does Your Dog Get it?
Dogs can get heartworm by being bitten by an infected mosquito.
What Does Heartworm Look Like?
Heartworms are straight and have a tapered tail.
Where Do Heartworms Attach?
Heartworms can be found by the heart and pulmonary arteries. They can grow up to 12 inches in length and can live in your dog for 5 to 7 years.
Symptoms A Dog With Heartworm May Exhibit:
Symptoms may include:
- Decreased cardiac output.
- Enlarged heart.
- Right side heart failure.
- Coughing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Loss of weight.
- Arrhythmia.
- Weak pulse.
Can Heartworm Be Passed To Humans?
There have been cases of heartworms in humans.
How Is Heartworm Treated?
A heartworm medication recommended by your veterinarian.
Dogs can get a preventative heartworm to take monthly.
Prevention Of All Types Of Worms
The best course of prevention of worms on your dog is proper hygiene.
Make sure to clean up after your dog defecates as soon as possible after they go. This can help to prevent larvae from maturing and/or getting into your soil.
Wash your hands thoroughly after being with your dog and especially after cleaning up after them.
Deworming Medicine For Dogs
It can be a bit overwhelming when you see all of the different treatments for deworming your dog.
Here is a breakdown of both over the counter and prescription deworming medicine for dogs.
*It is highly recommended to have your dog properly diagnosed by your veterinarian. If your dog is diagnosed with worms, discuss with your veterinarian the best course of treatment.
These are the most common over the counter dewormers and what they treat:
| Medicine | Tapeworm | Hookworm | Roundworm | Whipworm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetArmor 7 Way Dewormer | X | X | X | |
| Elanco Dewormer For Tapeworms | X | |||
| Sentry 7 Way Dewormer | X | X | X | |
| Safe-Guard Dewormer | X | X | X | X |
| PetArmor Sure Shot 2x Dewormer | X | X | ||
| Bayer Quad Dewormer | X | X | X | X |
| Panacur C Canine Dewormer | X | X | X | X |
| Nemex-2 Dewormer | X | X |
These are the most common prescription dewormers and what they treat:
| Medicine | Tapeworm | Hookworm | Roundworm | Whipworm | Heartworm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heartguard Plus | X | X | X | ||
| Sentinel | X | X | X | X | |
| Tri-Heart Plus | X | X | X | ||
| Iverhart Plus | X | X | X | ||
| Advantage Multi Topical Solution | X | X | X | X | |
| Trifexis | X | X | X | X | |
| Drontal Plus | X | X | X | X | |
| Virbantel | X | X | X | ||
| Cestex | X | ||||
| Intercepter | X | X | X | X | X |
| MilbeGuard | X | X | X | X | |
| Droncit | X | ||||
| Simparica | X | X | X |
Online retailers where you can purchase both over the counter and prescription deworming medication include:
No one wants to hear that their dog has a parasite. On a positive note, there are treatments available. Deworming medicine for dogs can help rid your dog of hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, roundworms, and heartworms. Some deworming medicine can even be taken to help prevent your dog from ever getting them.
Talk to your veterinarian if you suspect your dog may have worms and make sure your dog gets a fecal exam done as part of their check-ups.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.