What are worms?
What can worms do to my dog?
Are worms dangerous to me and my family?
Are worms dangerous to me and my family?
How can I protect my dog and my family from these parasites?

What are worms?

Worms are parasites that live inside your dog, the most common being Roundworms (Toxocara), which are long, thin and “worm-like”, and Tapeworms (Dipylidium and Taenia species), which are long and flat with segments that look like large grains of rice; they are mobile and may be seen on the hair around the bottom. Worm eggs remain infective in the environment for years.

What can worms do to my dog?

Worms are widespread and most of the time even if your dog is infected there will be no obvious signs. However, heavy worm infections can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, respiratory problems and weaken your dog’s immune system. In young puppies they can occasionally cause a life threatening intestinal obstruction. Even when dogs show no external signs of infection, they can still be shedding worm eggs, acting as a source of infection to other dogs and humans.

Are worms dangerous to me and my family?

They can be. The greatest threat to human health is the eggs of the roundworm (Toxocara). Whilst human infections are rare they can be very serious, causing blindness, lung or heart problems, or even fits. Children are most at risk and it is this potential danger that is one of the reasons behind the worming advice provided by veterinary surgeons.

How does my dog get worms?

Puppies are infected with roundworm larvae from the mother, even before they are born, via the placenta. They can also be infected from their mother’s milk and by ingesting eggs from the environment. Tapeworms can be picked up when pets groom themselves and swallow fleas, which carry tapeworm eggs. They can also be infected with a number of different parasites by eating raw meat.

How can I protect my dog and my family from these parasites?

Puppies should be wormed at 2,5 and 8 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months old. If you have children, then it is advisable to continue monthly treatment; if not, then every 3 months is acceptable. You will need to worm your dog monthly if you are feeding raw meat/offal. We strongly advise you NOT to use “over the counter” supermarket/pet shop products. They will often be inadequate, giving you a false sense of protection, and occasionally problems with toxicity can arise. For most situations we use either selamectin (Stronghold) or milbemycin (Milbemax). Your vet or nurse can advise you which is the most appropriate.

In summary:

1. Worms are a threat to the health of your pet and your family.
2. Worms are very common in our pets.
3. Regular worming is essential to control parasites.