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Dog worms are responsible for many symptoms and sickness. There are five different kinds of dog worms that can attack your dog.
These are tapeworm, hookworm, whipworm, roundworm and the most dangerous heartworm.
When your dog is infected their feces will be filled with over millions of worm eggs. These worms are scattered all over the places such as on the floor, sleeping places, eating pans etc. When your dog licked off or swallowed up these worms will enter the digestive system then hatch out and fully developed in approximately 10 days.
Dog worm symptoms
- Coughing
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- low energy level
- pot-bellied appearance
- loss of appetite
- Weight decrease instantaneously
- dull coat
Other symptoms of dog worms that can be seen from external such as hot and dry nose, red and scurfy pimple, irritated condition of the skin, pale lips, watery in the eyes, gums and foul breath.
Types of dog worms and symptoms in detail.
Roundworms
Roundworm is the common type of worm that can be found inside most dogs and they are divided into two main types.
Toxocara canis
Parasitic worms or helminth parasite that feed and live inside the intestine of their host causing nutrient absorption problems which can further leads to weakness and disease. Toxocara canis are white and yellow in color. Adult worm can have the size ranging from 9 - 18 centimetre.
Toxascaris leonina
Toxascaris leonina are usually found in feces and vomit remain of the animals. When toxascaris leonina eggs are ingested, they will hatch inside small intestine of their host. After fully growth and molt, they will return to the intestinal lumen and live there.
Toxascaris leonina absorb the nutrients from their host that can interfere with digestion system and also damage the inner lining of the intestine. Adult worm usually have 3-4 inches long. The adult female worm lays her eggs which will later passed into dog feces. The eggs can become infective after three to six days exposure in the environment.
Diagnosis
Roundworms can be detected by examining the feces for the presence of eggs.
Characteristic
Roundworms have a spaghetti-like appearance and the length of their body can grow up to 7 inches long. Eggs of roundworms are sticky and can easily adhere to any objects or any part of human body.
Symptoms
Infected dog may not show any signs at first but in more severe cases may experience dull hair coats, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and develop a belly appearance. If round worms is build up in dog intestines then there is a chance that these worms can block the path and result in death.
Prevention
Clean up feces or any dirty objects around your backyard regularly to prevent your dog from contracting roundworms.
Roundworm can also be transmitted to human by eggs ingestion so you should wash your hands after doing activities or before eating any food that have direct contact such as hamberger, french fries etc.
Treatment
Oral medication is given to puppies ar weeks 4, 6 and 8 then followed by fecal analysis using microscope at around weeks 11-12. Annual fecal examine are recommended for adult dog to remove all of the asymptomatic infections.
Veterinarian can use medications for deworming process. Medications essentially anesthetize the worms which make them unable to grip onto the host intestine and passes on along with the stool. Roundworms cannot survive long in the environment. You may be surprise by their long length and see them moving when they come out.
