Toxicara Canis Infections in Dogs

Toxicara Canis is more commonly known as round worm. Round worm infections are very common in dogs and most common in puppies. There are many ways that a dog can easily contract round worm and usually round worm infections are easily treated with medication.

Contracting Toxicara Canis

It is quite easy for dogs to contract a round worm infection. Most dogs contract round worm at birth from their mothers, which is why all puppies should be treated for worms at the time they are born and the treatment should continue for several weeks. Older dogs can contract round worm from their environment. Feces infected with round worm eggs and larvae is everywhere and dogs can easily come into contact with infected feces at the dog park or other areas they visit. Dogs may also contract round worm infections by ingesting dirt or other substances that contain eggs and larvae of the toxicara canis.

Symptoms of Toxicara Canis Infection

Unfortunately toxicara canis infections do not show up with lots of symptoms in dogs. Usually people don't notice that there is an infection with their dog until the infection has been in place for some time. The first sign most people notice is when they see what appears to be a small piece of rice in their dog's stool or around the area of their dog's rectum. Other more severe symptoms that show an extreme infestation include vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, trouble breathing, nasal discharge, distended abdomen and in puppies people may notice what appears to be a stunted rate of growth in their dog.

Diagnosing Toxicara Canis Infections

It is important to assume that all puppies are infected with round worms. Most of the time in older dogs or dogs who are not newborn puppies diagnosis is made through examining your dog's feces. It can be difficult to diagnose and early stage infection because the eggs are not shed until further into the infection cycle. This lack of egg shedding can lead to a false negative so retesting or continued observation may be necessary if you still suspect an infection of round worm.

Treating Toxicara Canis Infections

De-worming medication prescribed by your veterinarian is the best way to treat a toxicara canis infection in your dog. Sometimes it will require more than one course of treatment over the course of a few weeks to completely rid your dog of round worms because of the life cycle of the round worm species.  

Toxicara Canis infections are quite common and most veterinarians will offer to treat your dog whether or not they show signs of round worm infection. The medication that veterinarians use to treat round worm infections is harmless and does not cause side effects, so there is now harm to your dog if they are treated with de-worming medication and don't really have a need for it. People with dogs should remain vigilant against round worm infection, by making sure that their dog is treated at regular intervals, at least once a year, for round worm.

 

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