Worming for Dogs and Cats, always necessary
Worm infestation is very common in dogs and cats and can cause distress and ill health. The 2 types of worms that trouble our pets are roundworms and tapeworms. Roundworms are spread from animal to animal and are very similar looking to earthworms but much thinner. They can vary from ½” to several inches in length are usually vomited up or passed through in the motion. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to roundworms and are often infected from birth.
Roundworms
Roundworms (or Ascarids) look like short lengths of spaghetti, curled up into a coil. The adult worms live in the dog or cat’s intestines, feeding on the contents – in effect, stealing your dog or cat’s food! They grow to around 4 inches in length, and there may be dozens of them in the intestines of a heavily infected animal. In this situation, it’s not surprising that the dog or cat may be undernourished, with a dull coat, and lacking energy. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss. However, many infestations are symptom-less. In the adult dog, the worm larvae migrate into the body and form cysts in the muscles. There they may lay dormant for years, only to be activated in times of stress. The commonest situation that results in their awakening is pregnancy, when large numbers of worm larvae migrate into the puppy in the uterus (womb), infecting it before it is even born.
Not only are cats and dogs affected by worms, but people may be too. Children are particularly vulnerable as they may pick up the worm eggs from contaminated soil during play (infected sandpits are a common source). The worm larvae migrate (move) through the child’s body, and can sometimes end up behind the retina where they can cause permanent damage to the child’s eyesight. Worms have also been implicated in epilepsy. So remember, worming your pets protects them and as well as your children! Regular worming of your pet is an essential part of responsible pet ownership.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms resemble long, flat ribbons, divided up into segments. The mature tapeworm segments are filled with eggs, and individual segments break off, to pass via the cat or dog’s anus into the environment. Tapeworms, unlike roundworms, need an intermediate host (e.g. flea or mouse – both have different species of tapeworm for different intermediate hosts) that is eaten by the cat or dog.
Adult tapeworms anchor themselves to the gut wall and feed on the animal’s blood. Unsurprisingly, a heavy infestation can cause anemia (low red blood cells), lethargy, loss of appetite and a dull lifeless coat. Unlike roundworms, tapeworms are generally a problem of adult animals.
What are the signs if my cat or dog has worms?
It’s not easy to know if a cat or dog is infected with worms, particularly in the early stages. However, if severely infected, your dog or cat may suffer from vomiting or diarrhea, and will probably lose weight and condition. In practice, roundworm infections are often symptom-less in the adult dog or cat, but cause severe problems in young animals. Heavy roundworm infections may cause a distended stomach and ‘pot-bellied’ appearance – particularly noticeable in puppies and kittens. As the larvae migrate through the puppy, pneumonia and coughing may be seen. Animals may fail to put on weight and severe infestations may be fatal.
A cat with tapeworms may spend more time than usual cleaning its bottom, since the egg-filled worm segments cause irritation. In dogs, dragging of the bottom along the ground is a sign that is sometimes seen (though this sign may commonly be caused by other conditions e.g. anal gland problems). You may even find segments in your dog or cat’s bedding – they are pale in colour, and about the size of a grain of rice. And, like roundworms, severe infections can cause vomiting or diarrhea.
It’s worth remembering though, that by the time symptoms are visible, the worms have reached maturity, and are already damaging your cat or dog’s health.
Many infestations are symptom-less, and so if you don’t treat your pet regularly, it’s fairly likely your dog or cat will have worms, even if there are no signs.
How do I treat worms?
Worms are, unfortunately, impossible to prevent. There is no preventative treatment that will stop your cat or dog becoming infected. However, there are thankfully a number of very effective products that will kill worms. By killing the worms, this will also stop them from producing eggs, or segments, that will infect the environment. Remember however, that most oral worming products are effective at the time of use – they do not have a prolonged action. Ask us about the best product as there is a lot of difference between products.
It is necessary to use a worming treatment regularly – every 3 months is recommended in adult dogs and cats.
Regular routine worming is important not only for the well being of your pet but also to protect ourselves and our children as we are in close contact with our pets. Several worm species notably the roundworm, Toxocara canis, and the tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus can be picked up by humans with potentially serious consequences. It is recommended that pets are wormed 3 to 4 times a year. It is difficult to prevent a dog or cat becoming infected with worms but regular use of anthelmintics will ensure that the worms are killed before they can cause serious damage to the animal’s health.
Worming Puppies and Kittens.
Research suggests that up to 70% of puppies are infected at the time of birth by Toxocara Canis worms, direct from their mother’s womb. This infection is reinforced by worm larvae being present in the mother’s milk and faeces. As this worm is a zoonosis (can infect humans) active worming is essential. In young puppies and kittens, worming is essential from 2 weeks of age. Note that not all products are suitable for use at this age – consult your veterinary surgeon. Worming is essential as the pups will have been infected in the uterus (before birth) and will soon ingest worms in the mother’s milk and from the mother’s faeces.
Pregnant Bitches
In pregnant bitches, worming is essential. It will not completely eradicate transfer of worms to the puppy, but will drastically reduce it. Pregnant bitches should be treated from day 40 of pregnancy to 2 days post. Do not forget to regularly treat your pet for fleas, as the flea is the intermediate host of the very common tapeworm Dipylidium. If you do not eliminate fleas, your cat or dog will soon be re-infected after your worming treatment ends!
And if you take your pet abroad, please remember to get information about the worm situation there as you might have to deal with very different species and treatments to protect your pet!
Worm infestation is very common in dogs and cats and can cause distress and ill health. The 2 types of worms that trouble our pets are roundworms and tapeworms. Roundworms are spread from animal to animal and are very similar looking to earthworms but much thinner. They can vary from ½” to several inches in length are usually vomited up or passed through in the motion. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to roundworms and are often infected from birth.
Roundworms
Roundworms (or Ascarids) look like short lengths of spaghetti, curled up into a coil. The adult worms live in the dog or cat’s intestines, feeding on the contents – in effect, stealing your dog or cat’s food! They grow to around 4 inches in length, and there may be dozens of them in the intestines of a heavily infected animal. In this situation, it’s not surprising that the dog or cat may be undernourished, with a dull coat, and lacking energy. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss. However, many infestations are symptom-less. In the adult dog, the worm larvae migrate into the body and form cysts in the muscles. There they may lay dormant for years, only to be activated in times of stress. The commonest situation that results in their awakening is pregnancy, when large numbers of worm larvae migrate into the puppy in the uterus (womb), infecting it before it is even born.
Not only are cats and dogs affected by worms, but people may be too. Children are particularly vulnerable as they may pick up the worm eggs from contaminated soil during play (infected sandpits are a common source). The worm larvae migrate (move) through the child’s body, and can sometimes end up behind the retina where they can cause permanent damage to the child’s eyesight. Worms have also been implicated in epilepsy. So remember, worming your pets protects them and as well as your children! Regular worming of your pet is an essential part of responsible pet ownership.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms resemble long, flat ribbons, divided up into segments. The mature tapeworm segments are filled with eggs, and individual segments break off, to pass via the cat or dog’s anus into the environment. Tapeworms, unlike roundworms, need an intermediate host (e.g. flea or mouse – both have different species of tapeworm for different intermediate hosts) that is eaten by the cat or dog.
Adult tapeworms anchor themselves to the gut wall and feed on the animal’s blood. Unsurprisingly, a heavy infestation can cause anemia (low red blood cells), lethargy, loss of appetite and a dull lifeless coat. Unlike roundworms, tapeworms are generally a problem of adult animals.
What are the signs if my cat or dog has worms?
It’s not easy to know if a cat or dog is infected with worms, particularly in the early stages. However, if severely infected, your dog or cat may suffer from vomiting or diarrhea, and will probably lose weight and condition. In practice, roundworm infections are often symptom-less in the adult dog or cat, but cause severe problems in young animals. Heavy roundworm infections may cause a distended stomach and ‘pot-bellied’ appearance – particularly noticeable in puppies and kittens. As the larvae migrate through the puppy, pneumonia and coughing may be seen. Animals may fail to put on weight and severe infestations may be fatal.
A cat with tapeworms may spend more time than usual cleaning its bottom, since the egg-filled worm segments cause irritation. In dogs, dragging of the bottom along the ground is a sign that is sometimes seen (though this sign may commonly be caused by other conditions e.g. anal gland problems). You may even find segments in your dog or cat’s bedding – they are pale in colour, and about the size of a grain of rice. And, like roundworms, severe infections can cause vomiting or diarrhea.
It’s worth remembering though, that by the time symptoms are visible, the worms have reached maturity, and are already damaging your cat or dog’s health.
Many infestations are symptom-less, and so if you don’t treat your pet regularly, it’s fairly likely your dog or cat will have worms, even if there are no signs.
How do I treat worms?
Worms are, unfortunately, impossible to prevent. There is no preventative treatment that will stop your cat or dog becoming infected. However, there are thankfully a number of very effective products that will kill worms. By killing the worms, this will also stop them from producing eggs, or segments, that will infect the environment. Remember however, that most oral worming products are effective at the time of use – they do not have a prolonged action. Ask us about the best product as there is a lot of difference between products.
It is necessary to use a worming treatment regularly – every 3 months is recommended in adult dogs and cats.
Regular routine worming is important not only for the well being of your pet but also to protect ourselves and our children as we are in close contact with our pets. Several worm species notably the roundworm, Toxocara canis, and the tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus can be picked up by humans with potentially serious consequences. It is recommended that pets are wormed 3 to 4 times a year. It is difficult to prevent a dog or cat becoming infected with worms but regular use of anthelmintics will ensure that the worms are killed before they can cause serious damage to the animal’s health.
Worming Puppies and Kittens.
Research suggests that up to 70% of puppies are infected at the time of birth by Toxocara Canis worms, direct from their mother’s womb. This infection is reinforced by worm larvae being present in the mother’s milk and faeces. As this worm is a zoonosis (can infect humans) active worming is essential. In young puppies and kittens, worming is essential from 2 weeks of age. Note that not all products are suitable for use at this age – consult your veterinary surgeon. Worming is essential as the pups will have been infected in the uterus (before birth) and will soon ingest worms in the mother’s milk and from the mother’s faeces.
Pregnant Bitches
In pregnant bitches, worming is essential. It will not completely eradicate transfer of worms to the puppy, but will drastically reduce it. Pregnant bitches should be treated from day 40 of pregnancy to 2 days post. Do not forget to regularly treat your pet for fleas, as the flea is the intermediate host of the very common tapeworm Dipylidium. If you do not eliminate fleas, your cat or dog will soon be re-infected after your worming treatment ends!
And if you take your pet abroad, please remember to get information about the worm situation there as you might have to deal with very different species and treatments to protect your pet!
