Intestinal parasites, commonly known as worms, are a frequent health issue in dogs. While you might occasionally spot worms in your dog’s stool, it’s important to know that many types of worms are microscopic and can be present without being visible to the naked eye.
These parasites can cause significant health problems for your dog, and some types of dog worms can even pose a health risk to humans. Therefore, if you observe worms in your dog’s feces or suspect they might be infected, consulting with a veterinarian for a check-up is crucial. Bringing a fresh stool sample to the vet clinic is highly recommended for accurate diagnosis.
What Are Dog Worms?
The term “worms in dogs” refers to parasitic infestations, primarily within a dog’s digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The GIT encompasses the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Most types of worms that affect dogs reside in the intestines, where they reproduce and lay eggs.
Roundworms and hookworms are the most prevalent types of intestinal worms found in dogs in the United States.
Worm infestations are a common veterinary diagnosis, particularly in puppies and dogs that frequent communal areas like dog parks, grooming salons, boarding kennels, or dog daycare facilities. In the US, roundworms and hookworms are identified as the most frequently encountered intestinal worms.
While some dogs may exhibit minimal or no outward signs of worm infestation, these parasites can lead to severe health complications and even become life-threatening if left untreated.
Common Types of Worms in Dogs
Numerous worm species can affect dogs, but the most commonly encountered include:
How Do Dogs Get Worms? Transmission Pathways Explained
Dogs can contract worms through various routes. Understanding these pathways is key to prevention:
- Transplacental Transmission: This occurs in puppies before birth. Infected mother dogs can pass certain worms, like roundworms, to their puppies via the placenta during pregnancy.
- Transmammary Transmission: Puppies can also get worms through their mother’s milk. Hookworms are often transmitted to newborn puppies when they ingest infected colostrum, the first milk produced by the mother.
- Transdermal Transmission: Hookworms are capable of penetrating the skin. Dogs can become infected when the larval stage of hookworms comes into contact with and burrows through the skin, often from contaminated soil.
- Fecal-Oral Transmission: This is a very common route of infection for various worms, including whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms. It happens when dogs ingest fecal matter from infected animals. This can occur through direct contact with feces, or indirectly by sniffing or licking contaminated environments.
- Contact with Contaminated Soil: Soil that is contaminated with worm eggs or larvae can be a source of infection. Dogs can pick up worms by simply walking, playing, or digging in such soil.
- Ingestion of Infected Hosts: Eating infected wild animals, small rodents, or fleas can transmit certain types of worms. For instance, tapeworms are often transmitted when a dog ingests fleas carrying tapeworm larvae.
- Mosquito Bites: Mosquitoes are vectors for heartworm disease. When a mosquito bites an infected animal and then bites a dog, it can transmit heartworm larvae, leading to heartworm disease, a serious condition affecting the heart and lungs.
Recognizing Worms: Key Symptoms to Watch For
Often, the most direct indication of worms is observing them in your dog’s stool. Worms can also sometimes be seen in vomit or around the dog’s anal area or fur.
Beyond visible worms, other symptoms that may indicate a worm infestation include:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Noticeable muscle loss, particularly in young puppies
- Blood in the stool, which might appear as fresh red blood or digested black blood
- General weakness or lethargy
- Vomiting
- Changes in appetite, either increased or decreased
- Lethargy or reduced energy levels
- Inflammation or swelling around the rectum and anus
- Visible worms around the anal region
- Scooting, or dragging their bottom along the ground
- Slowed growth rate in puppies
- A pot-bellied appearance or distended abdomen
- Coughing
- Pneumonia in severe cases
- Anemia or pale gums
- Reduced tolerance for exercise
- Intestinal blockage in severe infestations
When Veterinary Consultation is Necessary
If you find worms in your dog’s stool, suspect exposure to worms, or observe any of the symptoms mentioned, it is important to seek veterinary attention promptly.
If you happen to see a worm, collect it and bring it to your vet’s office. This can aid in identification and help your veterinarian formulate the most effective treatment strategy.
While most worm infestations in dogs are not immediately life-threatening, timely treatment is essential to prevent the condition from worsening and causing severe complications or even death.
In addition to bringing a worm sample if available, also take a fresh stool sample to the vet. Microscopic examination of the stool is a standard diagnostic procedure to detect the eggs of intestinal worms. For heartworm, diagnosis typically involves a blood test, and in some cases, chest X-rays or cardiac ultrasounds may be necessary.
Prevention Strategies for Worms in Dogs
Preventing worms in dogs is achievable through several effective methods. Heartworm is routinely prevented with monthly medications, available in oral or topical forms, or via injections administered by a veterinarian.
Many heartworm preventatives, such as Heartgard Plus®, and flea and tick prevention products like Simparica Trio™, also provide protection against common intestinal worms. Consistent flea prevention, using products like Bravecto®, is crucial for preventing tapeworms.
Regular deworming of pregnant dogs and ensuring they receive appropriate preventative medications are also vital steps in protecting puppies from worms.
Maintaining good hygiene practices is also key in preventing intestinal worm infections, particularly in environments with multiple pets, like dog parks and boarding facilities.
After visiting public dog areas, cleaning your dog’s paws with dog-specific shampoo (such as DermAllay™) and water, using pet wipes (like MalAcetic®), or giving them a full bath can significantly reduce the risk of worm infestations.
References
What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Roundworms & Hookworms. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2003.
