Dogs move around everywhere and it is likely that they can pick up worms easily. Next to flea and tick infestation, worm infection is the most common in pets. But hardly, the pet parents are able to find out that their furry pals are been infected with worms. The different types of worms that infect dogs are tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and heartworms.
Some worm infection is easy to find with early signs showing up whereas for some it is really quite difficult to surface out as they show the symptoms mostly in the last stage. In pet worm infection, tapeworms are easy to find as your pooch will show up rice grain like structures in the stool whereas a canine infected with heartworm is too hard to identify.
Let us learn about some of the major symptoms of worm infection in dogs that can help you take the necessary steps at the earlier stage only to detect and provide the right treatment.
Vomiting
This is the most common sign that shows that your dog is infected with worms. Dogs with worms usually throw up. Sometimes, roundworms are seen in the vomit of your dog if he is infected with roundworm.
Diarrhea
Apart from vomiting, dogs with worms usually suffer from frequent diarrhea. Soft stools can be the result of these worms. Added to diarrhea, dogs being infected with hookworms normally may have blood in their stool.
Pot Bellied Appearance
Belly of dogs appear to be swollen due to worms. You will find that your dog starts to have bellied pot or bloated. This is quite common in puppies as they pick up the worms from their mothers.
Weight Loss
Sudden weight loss of your pooch is a signal of worm infection. They may be infected with tapeworm or whipworm.
Coughing
Coughing is the advanced stage symptom when a canine is being infected with heartworm. Other than heartworm, coughing appears during hookworm or roundworm infection.
Change in Appetite
Has your pooch started eating more food suddenly or is he missing his normal meals? A sudden change in dog’s appetite directs about a worm infection. Dogs infected with roundworms normally lose their appetite. A dog with worms may also show a huge appetite as the worms steal away dog’s nutrients.
Dull Coat
Shiny and radiant coat is a sign of healthy dog. When infected with worms, dog coat appears to be dull and dry. Sometimes, loss of hair or the appearance of rashes can signal to worm infection in dogs.
Lethargy
With worms taking away most of the nutrients, dogs seem to show low energy. They become less active and lethargic.
Itching and Signs of Irritation
Dogs with severe worm infestations show signs of itching and irritation. They scratch so hard that sometimes they even hurt themselves.
Worms in Feces
Dogs with tapeworm infections may show worms in their feces. Tapeworms may appear as small moving segments in the fur or area around dog’s anus. Moreover, roundworms can also be seen in the stool of your dog if infected.
When these worms are left untreated, they can severely damage the internal parts of a canine and can even lead to unconsciousness and the worst – to death. Suspecting worms in your dog, you need to take action immediately. Take your furry pal to your vet or treat them with deworming medications such as drontal, endogard, cazitel or milbemax. Most of the worms are easy to treat with these products and your vet may even recommend to continue the treatment for the preventive measures.
However, treating heartworm is quite difficult if your dog has been diagnosed with this infection. The best way to keep this infection at bay is following preventive regim. It is good to contact your vet to get detailed information about heartworm control program.
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