Internal worm parasites and your dog

When people think of parasites and their dog, most people focus on external parasites such as fleas and ticks. Dogs also get internal parasites, such as tape worms, hook worms, whip worms, round worms, and heart worms. This article will explain the facts you need to know about all the worms except heart worms, which are addressed in another article.

Tape worms are so called because they are flat and look like a piece of tape. They lay eggs in fleas and when the dog eats the flea, he also eats the tapeworm eggs. These then hatch and infest the dogs small intestine and steal nutrients from the dog. Tape worms are usually diagnosed when their egg sacs are seen around the dog’s tail. They appear to be small grains of rice. Tapeworms are rarely a risk to people in this day and age, although they can infest humans in rare cases.
Hook worms are so called because they hook on to the intestine in the dog and suck blood and nutrients. They are transmitted when the hook worm tunnels into the skin, intestine, or lining of the mouth. An infected mother can pass these parasites on to the puppy through their milk. . Hookworms are dangerous and can kill a puppy or dog. They can also infect humans, most often children.
Whip worms are shaped like whips. They are usually transmitted when a dog eats infected feces or licks soil that is infected. Whip worms also hook on to the intestine, but are not as dangerous to dogs as hook worms. Whip worms rarely infect humans.
Round worms are the most common worm infecting dogs. Dogs are infected when they eat contaminated feces or contaminated soil, drink contaminated water, or lick paws or fur that have picked the worms up. Infected female dogs can pass these worms to their puppies before birth or when they are nursing them. Round worms steal nutrition from the intestine, so may lead to malnutrition or death. Round worms can also cause serious lung problems as they move through the body. Round worms are very dangerous because they can infect people who play on infected soil. Once in the human body, they can penetrate organs or even the eyes, causing permanent blindness.
Picking up pet feces and not allowing your pet to eat feces are two of the most effective ways to prevent a pet from picking up these parasites in the first place.
Picking up pet feces and not allowing your pet to eat feces are two of the most effective ways to prevent a pet from picking up these parasites in the first place.

Worms can be treated and prevented by the many heartworm products that also contain a wormicide. These products are given monthly and eliminate the worms before they have a chance to cause damage. Most of these products do not treat tapeworms, so these must be treated with a separate wormer specific to them.