Taking care of dogs is not only playing and feeding them. Making sure they are healthy and content is also very important. One of the commonest problems dog owners encounter are worms. Luckily, it doesn’t need to be serious, and it is easily treatable. For more information about it, read the following text.
First, let’s just quickly go over the causes of worms in dogs. One of the most common worms that dogs get infected by is roundworm. They get it by eating worm eggs from soil or stool. Puppies are usually infected with this worm the most either by eating or getting it from their mother while they are not born yet. One more way to get them is by eating dead animals, most commonly rodents.
Diarrhea and changes in stool
One of the most prominent signs of worms in dogs is diarrhea. Although not very pleasant, if your dog has diarrhea, check the stool for any changes. Hookworms cause dark or bloody stool. On the other hand, roundworms are even visible in the stool. Tapeworms will sometimes appear in the stool as well, or you will see their eggs which look like rice. Sometimes, they can even appear on your dog’s anus, so make sure you check that as well.
Vomiting
Like with any other gastrointestinal problem, a frequent teller your dog has worms is vomiting. Like with the stool, you should check if it contains worms because sometimes, they can appear in dog’s vomit as well. Both in case of vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to give your dog enough water so that it doesn’t become dehydrated. If you notice any of these changes, consult with your vet, who will give you worming tablets for dogs and explain how to use them.
Weakness
If you spend a lot of time with your dog, one of the first signs you may notice is them feeling weak and being lethargic. Worms may cause weakness and depression in dogs. In this state, they will not want to play and be active, so if this is not normal for your dog, watch out for other symptoms. This is especially important to take care of if it happens to puppies because the consequences can be much more serious for them as their bodies are not so strong after all.
Changes in appetite
An indicator of many problems and worms as well is a change in appetite. This is a bit odd because it can go either way. Your dog may lose their appetite, or they can have increased appetite because the worms steal all the nutrients. Whatever the change is, you should do a checkup with your vet.
Weight loss
Weight loss can also happen when dogs get infected by worms. A loss of appetite, as well as puking and diarrhea are more than enough for your dog to lose weight. In this case, don’t make your dog eat just to bring back its weight. A better option is to deal with the main problem, which is, of course, worms, and after that, proceed with the diet that your vet has suggested.
Bloated or potbelly
A clear sign of worms is a potbelly. This happens more commonly in puppies who have contracted the worms from their mother. A potbelly happens because of heavy worm burden or because they lead to bigger gas formation. Sometimes it may be hard to distinguish the normal anatomy of a puppy or their overeating from a bloated belly from worm infection. If you are not sure, you should consult your vet immediately.
Scratching or changes in coat
A common sign of worms is also scratching around the rear because they are irritated by the worms, which can be in that area. Changes in the coat can also happen, which you will notice if your dog’s coat is no longer shiny and healthy-looking. Loss of hair, rashes, dry skin or irritation can also indicate worms.
Although not very pleasant, some of these steps are important for you to go through to be able to tell if your dog has problems with worms. It is rarely asymptomatic, so the littlest symptom can help you find out and spare both your dog and yourself the trouble. However, always check with your vet, especially if you are not sure.