Signs your Dog has Worms

One of the major issues that can befall your dog is if it gets worms. It is one of the most irritating and problematic conditions for a dog as it causes much discomfort and pain. Now, usually, your dog might get worms if it ends up eating the eggs of said worms. It usually ingests these eggs when it eats soil or stool that is contaminated with them. Another source is when your dog eats fleas or infected rodents as well. Hookworms are different in as such that they infect your dog when it eats microscopic larvae.

These worms can also enter the dog’s skin, mostly from the feet area. The result is disturbing and very uncomfortable for your dog. It will howl, be constantly irritated, and will not feel like the canine that you knew and loved. Worms are dangerous because they can also be passed onto humans as well so in a way, by preventing them, you are also saving your skin.

This is one of the major problems for a dog and that is why you should give it the attention that it deserves. So, if you value your dog’s life and want it to remain healthy then we have you covered. All that you will need to know about this topic is mentioned as follows for your convenience. Go on, have a read and inform yourself at a better rate:

How to tell if your Dog has Worms:

The thing is, worms end up staying hidden in your dog’s gut during the earlier stages. This makes it difficult to pinpoint the earlier signs of worm infestation in your dog. When tapeworms mature, they begin to shed segments that are filled with eggs. This causes great irritation and discomfort to your dog’s anus as the worms start coming out of the latter. They appear like tiny grains of rice and this causes your dog to drag its anus, or bottom, across the floor which is also called scooting. This is a painful sight to behold as well as undignified as well.

Still, there are some other signs that you should look for when trying to tell whether if your dog has worms or not. These can be enumerated as follows:

• You will be able to see worms clearly and visibly in your dog’s feces/stool
• Worms can also be found in the fur surrounding your dog’s rear
• Your dog will start to aggressively scratch and rub its rear if it’s got worms
• Your dog’s belly and stomach will become swollen
• The dog will be constantly hungry, experience rapid weight loss, have an increased appetite, and will be less energetic
• Your dog will have severe diarrhea that will often be accompanied by blood

Most of the time, this occurs if you forget to have your dog treated for fleas and worms in time. That is why it is highly recommended that you not forget this integral procedure and get your dog treated in time. It will save you from much worrying and distress.

What do Worms look like in Dog Poop?

This is the big question, albeit a gross one as well. So, what do worms look like in your dog’s poop? Not pretty, that much we can tell you immediately. It happens on occasion, that worms can be seen visually in the stool of your dog. Hookworms and roundworms appear as tan, off-white colored, and spaghetti-shaped parasites in your dog’s stool. Their sizes range from small to large and you should take caution while handling your dog’s stool for disposal. That is because humans can become infected with these worms as well.

Tapeworms are different in that they appear as small segments. They have an off-white to tan hue and can be found on the fur surrounding the dog’s genitals. The length of fresh segments will be about ¼ to ½ inch and they will be white. They might also contract or expand while dry segments appear like sesame seeds and grains of rice. Their color is darker as compared to the fresher ones.

How do your Treat a Dog with Worms:

There are some steps that you can take for treating a dog that has got worms. These techniques are effective but we do suggest that you take your dog to the vet if the condition persists.

These techniques can be listed as follows for your information:

• The first thing that you need to do is to get your dog dewormed. You should do this regularly and seriously especially while the dog is young. You should start this procedure when the dog is less than 3 weeks old
• Keep the area in which your dog sleeps, plays, or eats neat and tidy
• You should also ensure that your dog’s poop is disposed of properly and don’t let your dog eat its own or any other poop/stool that it finds in the park or during walks
• Another thing to remember is to keep your dog away from small animals in the wild. They might carry worms that can be transferred to your dog. We suggest that you keep your dog on a leash and in a yard with fences
• You can also get your vet to recommend some effective medications that can treat dogs for worms
• It is important to contact your vet if you feel that your dog has been infected or is at a high risk of infection by worms
• You should be immensely cautious if your dog is pregnant. You should get your dog dewormed immediately under such conditions. That is because this sufficiently lowers the risk of these worms being passed onto the puppies by the mother

So, there you have it, the complete and explicit scoop on worms and how they infect dogs. If you are a loving owner and want the best for your dog then we suggest you give this aspect the attention that it deserves. Remember, a worm-free dog is a healthy dog and a healthy dog is a happy dog.