Intestinal Worms

Also called: Gastrointestinal parasites, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm

• Dogs
• Skin & parasites
• Any; puppies especially

Several intestinal worms affect dogs: roundworms (look like spaghetti, common in pups), hookworms (feed on blood), whipworms (live in the large intestine), and tapeworms (segmented, often spread by fleas). Puppies are especially affected because some worms pass from the mother before birth or through her milk. Several are also a risk to people.

Signs to look for

• Often none, especially in adults
• Roundworm: pot-bellied look, poor growth, diarrhoea, vomiting
• Hookworm: anaemia and weakness (serious in pups)
• Whipworm: diarrhoea, sometimes bloody, and weight loss
• Tapeworm: rice-like segments near the tail and 'scooting'

How a vet diagnoses it

Faecal flotation and examination. Roundworms and tapeworm segments are sometimes visible to the naked eye.

Treatment

Appropriate deworming products chosen by your vet; puppies are dewormed at intervals, and monthly all-wormer or combination preventives are available. Good hygiene and prompt removal of faeces reduce reinfection.

Monitoring at home

Routine worming as advised by your vet. Roundworm eggs can rarely infect people (especially children), so hygiene matters.

Who tends to get it

All dogs; puppies most affected. Australian note: the hydatid tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus) is a serious concern in rural and sheep-farming areas — it can cause serious disease in people. Prevention involves regular tapeworm treatment, not feeding raw offal, and preventing scavenging.

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual — Gastrointestinal Parasites of Dogs
• RSPCA Knowledgebase — Worming your dog