The Importance of Deworming A Dog

Worms can always be a source of trouble and pain for your dogs. Though it is not a subject anyone enjoys talking about, it deserves special attention and care so that your pooch does not fall ill. Treating worms in dogs is very important as dogs are often affected greatly by worms. The insides of dogs are the ideal home for worms and other kinds of bacteria. It is recommended that you keep track of when your dog was last dewormed and when the next dose is due. Here, in this blog, we will cover everything about the importance of deworming a dog.

Why is it Important?

Many times worms become a source of serious gastrointestinal problems in dogs. Giving dewormers to dogs regularly is extremely important as it plays a crucial role in contributing to their health. The process of deworming should begin from puppyhood itself. Growth retardation can creep into puppies if they are not dewormed and cause ill health. Skin problems and loss of appetite may occur in adult dogs who have worms. Certain worms are transmitted easily and can infect both dogs and humans.

Period for Deworming

Just like puppy vaccinations, deworming a dog is done by following a routine and a schedule.

• Puppies: Deworming starts when they are just 2 weeks of age, and as per protocol, it should be repeated after every 2 weeks till the age of 3 months. Deworming should be shifted to a monthly basis till the puppy turns 6 months old, and after that, it should be repeated quarterly.

• Adult dogs: An adult dog must be dewormed between every 3 months. To check whether or not your dog has worms, you can even get a faecal test done by your vet once a year.

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Types of Dog Worms

Many kinds of worms affect dogs, making deworming an essential process to ensure good health and long life. The deworming medicine for dogs depends on the type of worm your dog is infected with. Let's have a look at the kind of dog worms:

• Roundworms: Thriving in faeces and dirty soil, the roundworm can cause serious infection if treatment is not given on time. Newborn puppies are often infected with roundworms. Swollen tummies along with vomiting and lethargy are common symptoms of roundworms.

• Hookworms: Given its name due to its hook-like teeth, the hookworm can breed thousands of eggs by attaching itself to the dog's intestinal lining. Spending too much time on wet grass or contaminated soil can easily infect a dog with hookworm.

• Heartworms: The heartworm attacks the lungs and the heart of the dog and can be deadly if it is not treated on time. Deworming a dog entails giving heartworm pills every month. It is best to keep yourself updated on when the next visit to the vet is due for heartworm pills. These worms can easily be detected via a blood test.
• Tapeworms: Tapeworms look like grains of rice and are mostly transmitted through fleas. This is because fleas swallow the worm's larvae, and these fleas can be ingested by dogs and indirectly take the worm inside. This is mostly done when dogs groom themselves or lick their paws after a long walk through dirty soil and grass. Vomiting and abdominal pain are common symptoms of tapeworms.

• Whipworms: Whipworms are also found in infected or dirty soil. Burrowing the nose or licking something fallen on infected soil is sufficient for the worm to get ingested by dogs. Common symptoms include severe diarrhoea and loss of appetite.

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Dogs Infected with Worms

An adult dog who has worms or has been infected by worms will not exhibit symptoms of the same easily unless the infection is severe. To prevent such a situation, starting with worm treatment for dogs on time and regularly is important. Puppies are more prone to showing signs of worm infection. Common symptoms can be diarrhoea and/or respiratory problems. When an adult dog has worms or an infection caused by worms, you may be able to see them in their faeces or vomit. You need to observe keenly and then consult your vet.

Preventive Measures

Sometimes giving the best deworming medicine for dogs is not sufficient to prevent worms from attacking your dog. Here are a few preventive measures you must keep in mind:

• Take your dog for a routine check-up with the vet every 6 months and make sure the dog is examined for worms.
• There are medicines to protect your dog from heartworms that are given monthly. You can get a prescription written for these monthly pills and give them to your dog as per the advice of your veterinarian.
• Protect your dog from fleas. You can apply an anti-flea medicine on your dog’s skin so that it is not infested with fleas and their larvae.
• Keep your garden, yard or driveway free of contamination. Ensure you throw out any unwanted waste or faeces done by your dog, which could attract fleas and other harmful insects.
• Speak to your vet if you observe your dog exhibiting strange behaviour or any odd symptoms.

With this, we come to the end of our blog on deworming a dog. Remember, responsible pet parenting involves deworming your dog on time and ensuring that your pooch does not fall prey to unhealthy diseases that can affect their health. If you need more help or guidance regarding when or how to deworm your dog, you can contact our Pawsome People at Zigly, who ensures that you get only pawsome experiences as pet parents!