The term ‘worms in dogs’ is used to describe many different internal parasites which can infect our pets. Owners can buy treatments for worms in dogs from pet shops and veterinary practices and should use them regularly. Worming a dog is a very important part of responsible pet ownership.
In the UK there are two types of worms in dogs which are very common. They are known as roundworms and tapeworms. Unfortunately many puppies are born with a roundworm infection so they are very hard to avoid. This underlines the importance of worming our dogs regularly, especially during puppyhood.

Although many infected dogs will show no outward symptoms of roundworms, compared to other worms in dogs, they can have serious consequences. Adult roundworms live in the dog’s intestine and eats the contents. This means that they eat your dog’s food. In cases of serious infection there can be dozens of roundworms living inside one dog. It isn’t surprising to find a heavily infested dog can be malnourished, lacking in energy and displaying a dull coat.

Inside adult dogs, roundworms may remain dormant in cysts inside the muscles. In times of stress they awaken. Very commonly, pregnancy awakens them and the larvae migrate around the body, infecting the unborn puppies. Treatment for worms in dogs administered to the pregnant bitch cannot rid the unborn puppies of their worms. This explains why treating worms in dogs is such a priority for puppy health care.

Adult worms release eggs which are passed with the dog’s faeces, contaminating soil. Then toehr dogs pick up the eggs from the soil. However, the most common roundworm in the UK, the Toxocara Canis can also infect children when they touch contaminated soil or sand pits. The larvae can migrate through the child’s body, potentially causing permanent eye damage if they end up behind the retina. It is therefore very important to regularly treat worms in dogs.

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