Deworming dogs

Unfortunately, there is no vaccination against worms. Dogs are therefore constantly under threat from these parasites. It is advisable to deworm your dog regularly or, alternatively, to have a faecal examination carried out and if the result is positive, to deworm your pet.

When taking your dog for a walk, there is the risk that it can become infected with worms. Even sniffing barely visible dog faeces or vomit, or coming into the slightest contact with them can lead to the transmission of worms. The same applies if your dog keeps licking everything when it is outdoors or eating dog excrement. Dogs can also become infected with worms if they eat small mammals such as mice, which act as intermediate hosts for worms. A worm infestation can also be caused by dogs licking each other. And even dogs who never go outside are still at some risk. Worm eggs and larvae can get stuck to people’s shoes and be carried into their homes in this way. It is therefore quite normal for dogs to be affected by worms sooner or later.

A healthy dog with a strong immune system can easily cope with a certain number of worms. In fact, many dogs have worms, and their owners are not even aware of it. If, however, the worm infestation gets out of hand, it can affect the dog’s digestive system, deprive it of important nutrients, lead to blood loss, attack the intestinal wall and damage vital organs. It is also important to remember that the dog can now potentially transmit the disease to other dogs and, in some cases, to humans. If the dog sleeps in its owner’s bed or there is other close contact, it is possible that certain types of worms may be passed on to its humans.

There are various kinds of worms that can infect dogs. The symptoms are therefore not always the same. The following are, however, typical:

• Diarrhoea
• Blood in the dog’s faeces
• Vomiting
• Anal itching
• Bloated stomach
• Signs of nutritional deficiency
• Shaggy coat
• Weight loss

The most common type of worm found in dogs is the roundworm, which has the Latin name Toxocara canis. It reaches a length of about 10 to 20 centimetres and is found mainly in the intestinal tract. If it settles in the uterus or the mammary glands of a pregnant dog, the puppies can quickly also become infected. Hookworms, which are only 1.5 centimetres in size, can have the same effect. Like the 5-centimetre-long whipworm, they mainly feed on blood. Lungworms only live temporarily in the intestines. These parasites, which are only a few centimetres in size, live up to their name and primarily affect the lungs, causing, among other things, respiratory problems and coughing. Lastly, dogs can also become infected with the fox tapeworm and the flea tapeworm, which are only a few millimetres in size.

The problem with worms is that they cannot be kept at bay by means of a vaccination for an extended period of time. Just a short time after successful deworming, dogs can become re-infected with worms. A process then starts, usually lasting several weeks, in which a high incidence of worms may reappear due to multiplication. For this reason, many vets recommend an interval between deworming treatments of around three months. For dogs with an increased risk of infection, for example hunting dogs and those that are raw fed, it may be advisable to shorten the interval to one or two months. Conversely, it can be extended to four to six months or even longer if the risk appears to be very low. It is best to ask your vet what intervals they recommend.

If you think that your dog has worms, do not just simply buy any deworming product and start giving it to your pet. The type of deworming medication will depend on the type of worm present, and whether it is for a puppy or an adult dog. You should therefore always go to your vet for a reliable diagnosis. They can determine whether your dog really does have worms and can identify the species of worm. The vet will then recommend the appropriate treatment. This will usually be a normal tablet, but there are also pastes, chewable tablets and liquid medicines available. For puppies, multiple doses are recommended while they are still growing; for adult dogs, the interval recommended by the vet will suffice.

It is understandable that some dog owners are keen to find alternatives to traditional deworming treatments. The chemical agents can cause side effects such as diarrhoea, tummy rumbling, fatigue, itching, gastrointestinal complaints and vomiting. Natural alternatives include pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, pineapple powder and various herbs. Dog owners tend to have widely differing opinions regarding the effectiveness of these remedies. Scientific studies on this subject have also led to very mixed results. There is, however, another alternative to traditional deworming: simply have a faecal examination carried out at regular intervals instead. You will then only need to use a deworming product if your dog really does have worms.