How to identify worms in a dog

Helminths are parasitic worms of various species that live in various internal organs of animals. Most often, a pet can pick them up in the warm season, when helminth eggs are everywhere: in water, in the ground. These worms are dangerous to animals, adults and small puppies can be infected with them. Adults dogs may become less active, refuse food, and with severe infection, even death is possible. But the worst thing is that worms from a dog can be transmitted to humans.

Symptoms of worms in dogs

It often happens that it is extremely difficult to notice infection with worms in a dog. Sometimes the symptoms are very similar to those of other diseases. Therefore, it is better to contact veterinarians to identify the problem, and even better to carry out constant prevention, but more on that later.

If, nevertheless, your pet has unnecessary inhabitants in the body, then most often this manifests itself as follows:

• an adult dog or puppy has a swollen or hard tummy, although this is most often noticeable in puppies;
• the animal refuses to eat, but at the same time it can consume something inedible;
• some dogs start on the contrary eat more, but at the same time staying at your weight, or vice versa, losing weight;
• small individuals may experience vomiting and nausea;
• diarrhea and constipation is a frequent occurrence in such cases due to disruption of the intestines;
• pale mucous membranes;
• inactivity of the dog, she does not play, quickly gets tired, sad;
• dull coat, eczema may appear, dandruff, dermatitis;
• in the stool of the dog, blood, mucus, eggs, larvae, the worms themselves are possible;
• if the dog "rides on the bottom of the floor" - this is a sure sign of the presence of parasites, which leads to itching of the anus;
• in puppies with helminths, development is delayed and they are inactive;
• blue on the rim of the eyeballs.

Treatment of worms in dogs

Today in veterinary pharmacies you can find a variety of drugs for deworming dogs. It can be suspensions, tablets, sprays and even drops on the withers. The drugs are of general action and narrow-profile for a certain type of parasite. The price category is also different, from cheap to luxury expensive.

It is best to check with your veterinarian before purchasing anything, or with the breeder from whom the dog was purchased... They will be able to advise on what would be the best option for your pet. In addition, the choice of drug will depend on the breed, weight of your dog, age.

The most effective deworming agents:

• Azinox Plus;
• Drontal Plus;
• Vermox;
• Droncite.

For puppies:

• Prazitel;
• Drontal Junior;
• Dirofen.

Treatment is best done with one drug, but with prevention, you should periodically change the means so that there is no addiction of the body. If you find parasites in your dog, then after choosing and purchasing the product, carefully study the annotation to it. Strictly follow all recommendations, doses and proportions so as not to harm your pet.

If the disease is severe, the treatment of the dog should be repeated no earlier than 10 days later. Remember that puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs need to buy special products made just for them.

How to give your dog a worm pill

The easiest option is to put a worm pill in a bowl of food or porridge. But there is one drawback - the tablets have a certain aroma, and the dog, smelling an extra smell, may refuse to eat. Therefore, the medicine will not enter the pet's body.

To deworm puppies, you can crush a certain amount of tablets into powder, mix with a little water, pour into a syringe without a needle, and thus water the puppies.

If your dog trusts you, you can open his mouth with your hands, put the pill on the root of his tongue, and close his mouth. After your dog has swallowed the pill, remember to give him a tasty treat as a reward. Some owners stuff the pill into a piece of sausage or meat and give it to the animal.

Prevention of worms in dogs

To avoid the appearance of parasites in your dogs, it is necessary to carry out prevention. For adult dogs, deworming is carried out once a quarter, that is, once every three months. Puppies can be wormed from the second week of life with puppy suspensions. Most often, deworming in puppies is carried out a week before vaccinations. Usually vaccinations are 2 or 3, therefore it is necessary to worm 2-3 times. After the last vaccination, the puppy enters "adult" life, and prophylaxis is carried out as for adult dogs. It should be remembered that when communicating with animals, you are also susceptible to the appearance of parasites, therefore, carry out prevention for yourself, about once every six months.