When we talk about pets having worms, we are talking about internal parasites that live, for at least part of their lives, inside our pets in intestines.
These parasites can cause illness commonly vomiting, diarrhea, dull coat, anemia, and weight loss. Puppies and kittens are more susceptible than adult cats and dogs and can actually be born with a worm infection.
The most common types of worms in pets are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and the tapeworm.
Round worm – can measure up to 18cm in length, which is often longer than the puppy or kitten it came from. These worms can infest a puppy/kitten while still in the mother’s uterus.
Tapeworms – did you know that fleas help transmit tapeworms? Tapeworms cannot develop without an intermediate host. This makes control of fleas more important. Infection occurs when the animal grooms itself and swallows an infected flea. Tapeworms are recognized easily; the dog/cat may pass segments of the worm that look like rice grains. This is not the whole worm; the rest of the worm is still inside the dog/cats intestines. The worm is obviously more common when fleas are common- in the warm humid months.
Hookworm – small worms 10-20cm long attach themselves to the intestines and consume the dogs/cats blood. Heavily infested pups/kittens develop blood-stained diarrhea. Adult pets may also carry the worm. Check your pets droppings for signs of blood.
Whipworm – seen in pups and adult dogs. The worms themselves measure 4-7cm. They cause gastroenteritis and diarrhoea. The stools are usually dark and foul smelling. These are rare to be found in cats and kittens.
Has my Pet got worms?
It is not always obvious. With puppies and kittens they can develop a big pot belly, if they have a huge burden, they can sometimes throw them up. Sometimes you can see them in your pets faeces or around the outside of the anus, but remember there will be others you cannot see.
Treatment
For puppies and kittens it is recommend to treat at the ages of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age, then treat every 3 months. It is best to weigh your puppy or kitten each time before going to pick up a worm tablet, so the correct dose is given.
Treatment options are Milpro and Drontal tablets.
