If you’ve ever owned a dog you know that dogs can get worms. Dogs can get worms by eating dead rodents or by ingesting dirt or feces that are infected with worms. Hookworms are a type of worms that dogs get by ingestion or when the worms burrow into the skin, most commonly on their feet.
Symptoms of Worms in Dogs
It can be difficult to tell that your dog has worms if you are not paying attention to your dog’s behavior and appearance. Some worms, such as roundworms, will be visible in your dog’s stool. If your dog has tapeworms, you may see tiny white pieces in their stool or may see moving worms in the area of fur around your dog’s butt.
Other signs of a potential worm infestation include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, change in appetite, loss of energy, and a dull coat. Dogs with signs of skin irritation and itching or who rub their butt across the carpet or ground may have worms. Dogs with chronic coughing may have an advanced case of worms. If your dog exhibits any one of these symptoms, check their stool and the area around their butt for visible signs of worms.
Keep in mind that not all worm infestations will show up visibly. Your dog can have heartworms without showing any visible symptoms of worms at all. Heartworms and other kinds of worm infestations are very serious for your dog if left untreated and can even be fatal.
Treatment with Worm Medicine for Dogs
If you suspect your dog has a case of worms, see your vet as soon as possible for treatment recommendations. In most cases, your vet will ask for a stool sample and based on the results will recommend the proper worm medicine.
Worm medicine for dogs is given based on the type of worm infestation and the dosage goes according to your dog’s weight. It’s important to have a vet confirm the type of worm to ensure proper treatment. Do not simply buy worm medicine to give to your dog if you suspect they have worms.
Heartworm Medicine for Dogs
Heartworms are a disease that dogs get when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Prevention of heartworm is very important because once your dog is infected with heartworms, it can be very expensive and time consuming to treat them. Preventative heartworm medicine for dogs is a monthly dosage and costs less $100 per year.
Many times your dog will show very few symptoms until the infestation has progressed to a dangerous level. This is why it’s crucial to have your dog evaluated by a vet at least twice a year for heartworms.
Natural Worm Medicine for Dogs
Many pet owners prefer to treat worms with natural methods if feasible. To be safe, when attempting to treat your dog with natural worm medicine, always consult your vet for treatment recommendations and supervision of progress. Some foods that have been used to get rid of worms in dogs include ground pumpkin seeds, grated carrots, greens, squash, parsley, and cucumber. Some pet owners have had success with fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut to eliminate worms in dogs.