Roundworms in Dogs – A Guide on Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

448 January 17, 2017 0 Comment

It is much of frustration when you find that your dog picks up anything for eating, and with their habit of eating up anything edible – poop, socks, grass or garbage. And, after some days what you find is that there is something moving in your pooch’s poo. The most common worm that your dog may pick up by licking or smelling feces is roundworm.

Round in shape, roundworms are parasites that live freely in the intestine, feeding on the digestive contents of the intestines. The two species of roundworms that normally attack dogs are Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine. Among these two, Toxocara canis causes more significant disease and may also be transmitted to humans.

How does your Dog gets infected with Roundworms?

Usually roundworm eggs are seen in dog’s feces. And these are transmitted to other healthy dogs by eating the feces. Roundworm eggs are also transmitted to other animals like earthworms, rodents, birds and roaches. However, they do not affect these animals. But, in dogs they undergo complicated life cycle to mature and badly affect dog’s health. When a pregnant dog is infected with roundworms, the worms transmit to unborn puppies and the babies are born with roundworm infection. At times, roundworms may also enter mammary glands and gets transmitted through the milk.

Symptoms of Roundworms in Dogs

Checking on these signs, it may help you figure out whether your dog is suffering from roundworm infection or not

Stunted growth in puppies
potbelly
Diarrhea

These are just primary symptoms suggesting the indication of roundworm infection in your pooch. If you find all these symptoms, do not wait for it become severe, immediately take your dog for diagnosis to your vet. For this, you need to take your dog’s feces for microscopic diagnosis.

Treatment for Roundworms in Dogs

Once deducted, it is simpler to treat roundworm infection in dogs. There are many medications available to kill roundworms in intestines. There are many treatments available, which when given help to prevent worm infection in future. Some of the most popular and effective wormers for roundworm treatment are Cestem, endgogard, Cazitel and Popantel.

Apart from these wormers, there are many heartworm preventives that also help in controlling worm infection in pets. However, for more information, your vet will advise on which worming treatment perfectly suits your furry pal.

Overall, it is essential to put your pet on worm control program. This will help in preventing worm infection in dogs starting from their puppy age. Along with the preventives, you need to keep your surroundings clean and pick up feces immediately before your pooch reaches it. Keeping surroundings clean and treating your pet regularly with worm preventives can help him/her enjoy the play with you without any worms to trouble them.

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