Puppy worms are very common and may interfere with the normal development of the puppy. The worms are often seen in the stool of your puppy and this symptom will help you identify the problem and get treatment. Puppies can easily get infected with intestinal parasites or these can be inherited at birth from an infected mother.
Types of Worms in Puppies
Puppies and dogs may catch a number of intestinal worms. However, there are 3 major types of worms that may be found in puppies. Each type can be identified judging by the shape and size:
- Roundworms may be hookworms or whipworms and are very small and these are the most often seen worms in puppy stool; these worms are still alive and may be moving
- Tapeworms are a distinct type of worms as these are larger and have several segments; if the worm is visible in the stool, you will typically detect a segment that won’t move
- Flatworms are as the name suggests and may not be seen in the stool, but may also inhabit the lungs or the liver of the pet
Puppy Worms in Stool
As mentioned before, the flatworms cannot be eliminated in the stool, but tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms can be found in the puppy’s stool.
Tapeworms have a distinctive appearance, so they can easily be differentiated from the other types of worms in the stool. If there is a segment in the stool, it’s clear that the puppy has a tapeworm. The tapeworm may also be seen while the puppy is sleeping; the end of the worm may exit through the puppy’s rectum.
The difference between whipworms and hookworms is subtle and a fecal exam is needed for a clear diagnosis.
Detecting Worms in Puppies
If you see worms in the puppy’s feces, you should get a feces test, which will tell you what type of parasites affect your puppy.
At this early age, the presence of parasites may be dangerous, as the puppy can get dehydrated and even die.
Make sure you don’t touch the puppy’s feces with your bare hands; wear protective gloves.
Treating Puppy Worms
The puppy worms should be treated as soon as possible, to avoid complications and allow the puppy to develop normally. The easiest way to get rid of worms is through a dewormer pill, which can target the present worms and their larvae and eggs.
The deworming treatment can be repeated in 2 weeks’ time, to make sure that the worms are gone. Meanwhile, you should monitor the puppy’s stool. Beware of the fact that the worms may be seen in the puppy’s stool even after the treatment, but they will be dead.
However, if worms appear more than 2 weeks after the deworming treatment, you should go for a new set of tests, to see if the puppy is still infected.
During the treatment, you should also make sure your puppy eats and drinks properly.