 |
How Worms Affect
Dogs
Vicky Payne NOBS Veterinary Adviser |
 |
| Everyone
knows that worming dogs is important, but why does it need to be done,
and how often? |
Roundworms are passed from bitch to
pups, so puppies need treatment every two or four weeks from two weeks
old until they are six months old. Older dogs can also have
roundworms and they shed eggs onto their coats and into the
environment. This shedding is very important as, if children
become infected, serious disease and blindness can occur.
Tapeworms can be caught from raw meat or from ingesting fleas, depending on the type of tapeworm. More common in adults, an obvious sign of infection is rice-like segments around the dogs anus.
Hookworms enter the body through the feet as well as orally. They are common in the Uk fox population and although uncommon in dogs, they can be seen where dogs use a grass run or small grass exercise paddock, and so may be more common in gundogs than pets.
Lungworm is caught from slugs and snails and is becomming more prevalent, especially in the south east of England. Wet weather increases infection rates.
Heartworm is spread by biting flies; this is only seen abroad, or in dogs who have travelled abroad. However, climate change may bring it to the south of the UK.
Symptoms
Round and Tapeworm infections are likely to cause loss of condition, a poor coat and diarrhoea. Heavy infections in young dogs can cause jaundice, anaemia and even death. Hookworms can also cause sores on the feet. Lungworm causes a chronic cough, which can be mistaken for kennel cough in its early stages.
Prevention and Treatment
The most recent veterinary advice is to treat dogs monthly to reduce the risk of shedding roundworm eggs where children could ingest them. However a kennelled dog, with limited contact with children, could be managed with a combined treatment every three months. Ensuring faeces are disposed of quickly reduces the risk of passing on disease. Feeding a raw meat diet, especially wild meats such as venison and rabbit, will increase the risk of tapeworms so more frequent treatment may be required. Lungworm and hookworm infections often require different treatments and may not be covered by your normal multi-wormer.
Many owners are looking for more natural ways to manage their dogs and wish to avoid regular chemical worming. An alternative to routine worm treatments is regukar faecal egg counts (FEC's) done by your vet; if no eggs are seen, no treatment is required. Several herbal remedies are available but should only be used as an aid to maintaining a healthy gut and reducing the risk of parasites - they are unlikely to be able to deal with an infection at doses that are safe for the animal.
It is important to get the right product and routine, and to get your dog weighed for accurate dosing. Vet surgeries and good petshops can offer plenty of advice.
Tapeworms can be caught from raw meat or from ingesting fleas, depending on the type of tapeworm. More common in adults, an obvious sign of infection is rice-like segments around the dogs anus.
Hookworms enter the body through the feet as well as orally. They are common in the Uk fox population and although uncommon in dogs, they can be seen where dogs use a grass run or small grass exercise paddock, and so may be more common in gundogs than pets.
Lungworm is caught from slugs and snails and is becomming more prevalent, especially in the south east of England. Wet weather increases infection rates.
Heartworm is spread by biting flies; this is only seen abroad, or in dogs who have travelled abroad. However, climate change may bring it to the south of the UK.
Symptoms
Round and Tapeworm infections are likely to cause loss of condition, a poor coat and diarrhoea. Heavy infections in young dogs can cause jaundice, anaemia and even death. Hookworms can also cause sores on the feet. Lungworm causes a chronic cough, which can be mistaken for kennel cough in its early stages.
Prevention and Treatment
The most recent veterinary advice is to treat dogs monthly to reduce the risk of shedding roundworm eggs where children could ingest them. However a kennelled dog, with limited contact with children, could be managed with a combined treatment every three months. Ensuring faeces are disposed of quickly reduces the risk of passing on disease. Feeding a raw meat diet, especially wild meats such as venison and rabbit, will increase the risk of tapeworms so more frequent treatment may be required. Lungworm and hookworm infections often require different treatments and may not be covered by your normal multi-wormer.
Many owners are looking for more natural ways to manage their dogs and wish to avoid regular chemical worming. An alternative to routine worm treatments is regukar faecal egg counts (FEC's) done by your vet; if no eggs are seen, no treatment is required. Several herbal remedies are available but should only be used as an aid to maintaining a healthy gut and reducing the risk of parasites - they are unlikely to be able to deal with an infection at doses that are safe for the animal.
It is important to get the right product and routine, and to get your dog weighed for accurate dosing. Vet surgeries and good petshops can offer plenty of advice.
reprinted with kind permission from
James Marchington
Editor Sporting Shooter
3 The Courtyard Denmark Street
Wokingham Berks RG40 2AZ
Editor Sporting Shooter
3 The Courtyard Denmark Street
Wokingham Berks RG40 2AZ