wormsinpuppies

Puppies Born with Worms

Treating For Worms
One of our dogs had never been wormed before we had her. When she arrived, at eight weeks old, she had a taut belly the size of her head and no appetite because she was so badly afflicted. Such cases need careful treatment. Killing a large number of the parasites in one go can block the intestine. We avoided this and her appetite soon returned. However, the damage was permanent. She will always have a delicate digestive system and her growth was slightly restricted.

All puppies have worms, no matter how well reared they are or how well the dam is cared for. Good breeders worm diligently with medicines recommended by the vet. Some over-the-counter cures are not strong enough. The first few weeks of a puppies life are vital and any kind of parasite infestation during that time can have serious repercussions, as was the cause with our dog.

Why did we buy a puppy with worms? She had not been treated due to ignorance, rather than malice. She had been well socialised, which is very important in the early weeks. You can worm a puppy and you can deal with the physical damage caused by failure to treat it, but once the vital socialisation period is past, it is too late.

Ours is a bold, friendly, unflappable dog that does not turn her head at anything. She can avoid digestive upsets most of the time and those that do occur can be treated. I have another dog that was impeccably reared but, due to illness, was not fully socialised. It has been much more difficult to intergrate her into human society.

Jackie Drakeford

reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750

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Q. Is it common for puppies to be born with worms?

A. Puppies can become infected with hookworms and roundworms while they are still in the mother's uterus. The larvae (immature forms) of the worms migrate through the mother's uterus and into the developing fetus. Puppies and kittens can also be infected with roundworms and hookworms through their mother's milk. This is why it is so important to begin a deworming program when the puppies and kittens are 2 weeks old.

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