Pets Information

Dog Worms -- Dont Let Them Get Started


There may be no warning before dog worms strike.

It was about two AM, when beneath our bed the new puppy we'd brought home from the pound just a month earlier began screaming.

Not yipping or whining -- this was the kind of agonized screams that'll stand your hair up on end. Our cute, playful new puppy was being eaten alive from inside.

He had worms, even though he'd received all the right shots just a few weeks before.

Now he was dying, right there under our bed, and we weren't able to save him. The worms were just too advanced.

He had been a happy little guy, playful and filled with fun. So that night -- and those screams -- have stayed with me a very long time.

An experience like that will change your attitude fast. It sure changed mine. Up till then I'd been a bit cavalier about health care for my pets.

However, dog worms are serious business. They need to be treated as soon as possible. And even if you're not sure, get your dog tested anyway, just to be safe. Being safe is far better than listening helplessly to your dog die in the night.

If your dog has diarrhea, the cause can be dog worms and you should make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.

To determine if dog worms are the problem you will need to take a stool sample to your vet. In some cases, however, dog worms can occur even when your dog has normal stools. A yearly stool exam is needed to make sure your dog doesn't have worms. Puppies should be checked more often.

There are several types of worms. Your vet can test for all kinds and give the appropriate treatment.

Roundworms are the most common, and are usually found in newborn puppies. Older dogs usually don't have problems with roundworms.

Hookworms are also common. This worm lodges in the small intestine of the dog. When your dog has hookworms he will often have vomiting and diarrhea. In young puppies this can cause anemia and other complications.

Whipworms live in the junction where the large and small intestines meet. These worms cause inflammation in the lower part of the GI tract, and the symptoms resemble those of colitis. Whipworms are difficult to diagnose, but your vet will usually treat your dog according to the clinical signs.

Some dog worms need a host in order to be transmitted. This type includes tapeworms. Fleas most often serve as the host to carry these worms.

The flea ingests the eggs and acts as host for the larvae. then the dog swallows the flea with its tapeworm already present.

Often dogs with tapeworms do not show clinical signs. With no obvious symptoms, this makes it hard to diagnose the problem. However, if you often see your dog rubbing his bottom along the ground or on the floor, he may have an infestation of tapeworms.

It's important to get your dog checked. You don't have to learn the hard way like I did.

Dog worms are a serious health hazard. They impact your dog's health and should be taken care of the minute you even suspect there could be a problem.

Puppy-Toy-Tips.com
Learn great ways to use puppy toys for training and socializing your new pup. Make sure you're on the right track when training your dog. Also, be sure to get the free eBook of puppy coloring pages for your kids.


MORE RESOURCES:

Some Nature's Variety pet foods recalled
UPI.com
LINCOLN, Neb., March 9 (UPI) -- Nature's Variety Inc. says it's recalling its chicken formula raw frozen diets for dogs and cats because the pet food might ...
Manufacturer expands pet food recallThe Associated Press
Nature's Variety Recall ExpandedAbout - News & Issues (blog)
Nature's Variety Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include All Raw Frozen ...PR Newswire (press release)
EmpowHer (blog) -VetPracticeNews.com
all 264 news articles »


Global

Humane Society gives tips for prepping pets for flooding
Fort Dodge Messenger
So it will be up to pet owners to make plans for their four-legged family members ahead of time, according to Laurie Hagey, executive director of the Humane ...
Pet Project: Wacky idea: Get a catSan Antonio Express
time to protect pets from fleasKY3
PET OHANA Humane Society can sterilize feral catsHonolulu Star-Bulletin
Tampa Tribune -St. Augustine Record -East Valley Tribune
all 12 news articles »


Group asks PBC commission to ban out-of-town pets from local stores
Palm Beach Post
At least two US cities recently banned the sale of puppies and kittens at pet stores, but county managers say those laws have yet to face legal challenges. ...
Activists hoping to ban on out of state puppiesWPTV

all 4 news articles »


O'Brien: How dot-com start-ups have changed 10 years later
San Jose Mercury News
When I heard Pets.com was about to shut down in late 2000, I shelled out $40 for one of its ubiquitous talking sock puppets, thinking I'd like to have my ...

and more »


Shelters work to keep pets in adoptive homes
Dayton Daily News
“Instead, I heard from people who were ticked off because they were told they could not have a pet.” This feedback prompted Carlisle to make ...
Shelters eliminate barriers on adoptionDayton Daily News

all 2 news articles »


Digital Spy

Hudson's son loves pet dogs
Animal Friends Pet Insurance
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has spoken out about her toddler son's love for the family's pet dogs. The Dreamgirls star told Access Hollywood that Daniel ...
Jennifer Hudson's Son's Puppy PalsContactmusic.com
Jennifer Hudson: 'My son thinks he's a dog'Digital Spy
Jennifer Hudson On Motherhood, Her Son's Puppy Pack & Her 'Fierce' Wedding DressAccess Hollywood

all 19 news articles »


Sun-Sentinel

Palm Beach County will consider limits on pet sales
Sun-Sentinel
Animal advocates and local breeders want Palm Beach County to stop "puppy mills" from producing an influx of pets that too often end up unwanted and ...
Group calls for ban on pet store sale of dogs and cats in Palm Beach CountyPalm Beach Post

all 15 news articles »


Radio Iowa

Culver signs puppy mill bill
Quad City Times
He said the new law will not only protect animals, but provide assurance to families that the pets they adopt are healthy, clean and have been raised ...
Governor signs puppy mill bill as first dog looks onRadio Iowa
More Dog Breeder Inspections Done DealKCCI Des Moines
Culver signs puppy mill billOmaha World-Herald

all 58 news articles »


Options limited during after-hours pet emergencies
Jacksonville Daily News
Pet owners can't predict when emergencies may happen, but area veterinarians say there are steps they can take to help prepare for times when illness or ...

and more »


Pet adoption events planned
Las Cruces Sun-News
LAS CRUCES -- Are you looking for a new pet? You could find a new best friend at one of two adoption events on Saturday. Dogs and cats will be available for ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map | First Rate Hosting
2006 First Rate Hosting

Powered By First Rate Hosting