3 Proven Remedies to treat Worms in Dogs

There are four common types of worms that dogs may get.

• Hookworms:

These are found in dog poop and on the ground where your pet has been. The eggs can contaminate your lawn and garden soil and, from there, infect your pet’s paws as they scratch or dig at the ground. They then enter through the skin or by swallowing something that contains them, like water or food, which contains these eggs. Dogs can also be infected if you walk them near contaminated areas or step on feces that contain hookworm eggs.

Appearance: Hookworms are small and thin, and can be difficult to see with the naked eye. They can be up to half an inch in length and can have a reddish-brown or grey color. Hookworms can cause anemia, weight loss, and diarrhea in dogs.

• Roundworms:

These are very common in dogs as they are found on most streets and pastures. They live inside your pet’s gut, where they can cause all sorts of problems, such as diarrhea and vomiting. The eggs from roundworms can contaminate food or be excreted with feces. Like hookworm infections, these can enter a dog’s body through skin contact or ingestion (swallowing). Some symptoms of roundworm infection include weight loss, poor coat condition, low energy levels and poor appetite.

Appearance: Roundworms are often white or light brown in color, and can be several inches in length. They have a long, thin, cylindrical shape and can resemble spaghetti. Roundworms can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and a pot-bellied appearance in dogs.

• Whipworms:

These worms are also common and can be found on street and pasture soil. The whipworm eggs enter a dog’s body through skin contact or ingestion (swallowing). Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss. These symptoms can lead to more serious problems if left untreated for a long time, such as malnutrition and dehydration. Heavy worm infestations may even cause anemia.

Appearance: Whipworms are also small and difficult to see, and can be up to two inches in length. They have a long, thin, whip-like shape, with one end thicker than the other. Whipworms can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and inflammation of the colon.

• Tapeworms:

Tapeworms are less common in dogs then the previous types as they prefer living inside the intestines of animals such as cats, pigs and sheep. Your dog could become infected by eating fleas with tapeworm larvae attached to their bodies. If this happens, the larvae will grow inside your dog’s intestine and produce segments called proglottids. When this happens, your pet will start to drool because its mouth becomes irritated from chewing on its own tongue due to the irritation caused by the tapeworm segments.

Appearance: Tapeworms can look like small grains of rice or flat, white, or cream-colored segments that can be seen in your dog’s feces or around their anus. They can grow up to several inches in length and are usually visible to the naked eye.

The treatment will depend on the type of worms your dog has.