Worms are a common problem for dogs, but are especially prominent in young puppies. That said, staying on top of your puppy's worming is crucial to avoid infestation and any other worsening conditions.
With worms and worming treatments being such a prominent part of owning a pup, it’s important that you’re clued up. And we’ve got you covered! This blog will take you through everything you need to know about worms, including spotting signs and symptoms.
Certainly not the most cute or glamorous side of being a puppy parent, but worms are a common issue that many of us will face at some point during our dogs’ lives.
Affecting both puppies and older dogs, worms are parasites found in the intestines of your pup, living on blood and nutrients found in the food they digest. A mild case of worms can be quickly resolved by regular deworming, but if left can lead to more serious and complicated health conditions, and even death.
There are also a few non-intestinal worms that can infect puppies, including:
A puppy parent will vouch for just how curious little pups can be, doing most of their exploring with their mouths. Although a big part of their development, this inquisitiveness is why puppies are so susceptible, more so than older dogs, to contracting worms.
That said, some of the identified ways puppies can pick up worms are;
More often than enough, signs and symptoms of worms are pretty easy to spot. In some cases they are symptomless, but this makes it even more important to keep up regular worming and checks - especially in their first few months.
Signs and symptoms of worms in puppies include;
If your pup’s displaying any of these symptoms, and you’re yet to start their preventative worming treatment - be sure to make an appointment at the vet ASAP, and keep them away from any other dogs you have in the house. If you do have any other pets and the presence of worms has been confirmed, it’s best to get them checked out too!
Worms aside, puppies are prone to having sensitive tummies and digestive systems in their first few months, so could display these symptoms without worms being present.
If you notice your pup is dealing with a sensitive tummy and a vet has declared them worm-free, be sure to sprinkle our Bionic Biotic powder over their next dinner!
Packed with prebiotics and probiotics, as well as fish oil, chicory root and vitamin E, this nutrient-rich supplement can help alleviate symptoms caused by an upset tummy, encouraging solid stools, healthy digestion and a luscious coat.
Since puppies can be born with worms and pick them up quite early on, it’s important to keep on top of their worming schedule. Untreated worms in your pup can lead to an infestation, which can transform into major health conditions and in severe cases, death.
Some worms may not affect adult dogs quite as severely, but some can be fatal for puppies and cause worrying effects such as;
Being so prone to picking up worms and other nasties, it’s advised to worm your puppy every 2-3 weeks, up until they’re 12-16 weeks old. This should then be done monthly until they reach 6-months old - when they can then be transferred to an adult dog’s worming schedule.
Adult dogs should be wormed around every 3-months, for maximum protection and prevention. With so many different worming treatments out there, it’s important to note that guidelines will differ - so as an extra precaution, always speak to your vet before worming your puppy.
If your vet’s confirmed that your puppy’s got worms, first up, don’t panic! Your vet can begin to take you through your options, as well as introduce the best possible puppy worming schedule to prevent worms from returning in the future.
The first thing your vet will do is prescribe a dewormer. Types of dewormers can differ depending on the type of parasite, and they’re usually administered orally. Either way, be sure to pay attention to the treatment guidance and your vet’s advice.
Once you’ve given your pup their deworming treatment, they may experience some diarrhoea or sickness. This can be a normal reaction, and an effect of the worms being killed as they make their way through the digestive system. But, if these symptoms persist and/or get worse, be sure to take them back to the vet.
Once your pup‘s had their worming treatment, you can expect it to start working within the first few hours.
The best way to tell if the dewormer’s working is to check their poop. If you can see live worms in your puppy’s stools, it means they’re successfully being flushed out of their system. After a few weeks, you’ll start to see dead worms instead, which is a good sign that the treatment is working.
To be extra sure, you can always ask for a puppy stool check from your vet. Some worms can’t be seen without a microscope so to ensure that your pup is completely worm-free, speak to your vet about further stool checks.
If you don’t see improvement in the first two weeks of your pup’s dewormer, be sure to seek further advice from your vet.
There are a few precautionary steps you can take to prevent reoccurring cases of worms. Remember, worms can’t always be helped, but with fast action, the right treatment and these preventative steps, you can minimise your pup’s exposure and stay in control of their health.
Preventative steps include;
Keeping up a good puppy worming schedule is one of the many responsibilities you sign up for when becoming a puppy parent - especially when making for a happy and healthy pup. Need to stock up on poo bags to keep the mess at bay? Why not try our Planet-Friendly Poo Bags?
If you’re looking for more advice on how to raise your pup, be sure to check out the rest of our Puppy Hub for expert advice from vets, trainers and our in-house experts.
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