 Unlike most mammals, puppies pick up intestinal roundworms from their mothers through the placenta. They are therefore born with worms already present. For this reason, worming pregnant bitches is essential. It will not completely eradicate transfer of worms to the puppy, but will drastically reduce it. Pregnant bitches should be treated from day 40 of pregnancy to 2 days post-birth with a wormer containing fenbendazole, or with whichever wormer your vet recommends. After this they can return to a three-monthly worming regime. Show Not all products are suitable for use in pregnancy; always consult your veterinary surgeon for advice regarding suitable products to use during the pregnancy Do not forget to regularly treat your bitch for fleas, as the flea is the intermediate host of the common tapeworm Dipylidium. In addition, fleas can cause severe anaemia in puppies. Check with your vet which flea products are safe to use for your dog during pregnancy and while nursing. Worming puppiesIn young puppies, worming is essential from 2 weeks of age. As mentioned, the pups may have been infected in the uterus (before birth) and will soon ingest worms in the mother’s milk and from the mother’s faeces if the mother is carrying an infestation also.
Wormers containing fenbendazole are available for puppies from 2 weeks of age, covering the following worms:
Puppies should be wormed every two weeks from 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks of age, and then every month until the puppy is 6 months of age when they can be treated as adults (wormed every 3 months). Read more about dog pregnancy and birth
Worms are a common cause of illness in puppies. In fact, all puppies are considered to have worms, and one of the pillars of puppy care, in addition to vaccines, is effective deworming. Make sure you have all the facts before you get started to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible — for both you and your pup.
Intestinal worms are bad in any pet, but even more so in puppies. Because puppies are small and still growing, they are much more vulnerable to diseases, parasites and getting sick. Intestinal worms like hookworms, tapeworms and roundworms steal the much-needed nutrients that puppies need to grow and flourish, in addition to causing pain, discomfort and even blood loss. If not effectively treated, a puppy can even die. Rarely, humans can also contract these parasites, which can lead to intestinal pain, skin reactions and more serious health problems.
Some puppies may not show any signs of being infected with worms, but more than likely, they will show some signs. Because of the many types of intestinal worms that can infected puppies, there can be a variety of clinical signs including:
Keep in mind that with the exception of worms in stool, these symptoms could also indicate other health problems; check with your vet to be sure.
Although worms are a major nuisance for your puppy, they’re fairly easy to treat. Puppy deworming solutions are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, chewables and topical spot-ons. Many are offered over the counter, while some require a prescription from your vet. Regardless of where you purchase your dewormer, it is always good to consult with your veterinarian, as they can set up an appropriate deworming schedule and trouble shoot any problems that may arise. Worming a puppy for the first time gives puppies a good headstart in life considering the negative impact a belly full of worms can have on a puppy's delicate body. Typically, worming a puppy for the first time occurs when the puppy is still in the breeder's care. The first worming can take place after 2 weeks of age and is repeated every other week generally until the puppy has reached 12 to 16 weeks of age. Consult with your vet for specific deworming recommendations, not all dewormers are suitable for young puppies. Also, if you have acquired a new puppy, obtain his/her deworming history from the breeder. Following is information on worming a puppy for the first time by veterinarian Dr. Ivana Vukasinovic. See your vet before worming a puppy for the first time The Importance of Worming a PuppyWorms are a natural occurrence in the canine population. Most adult dogs may have and probably do have a few parasites in their digestive tracts, or they get them occasionally, but the immune systems of mature, healthy dogs can keep these pesky invaders in check. Not all newborn puppies have worms, but the majority do, either passed in from the mother in utero, or through milk, or through other ways of infection. Because worm infection is a common problem, we normally routinely deworm puppies just to be safe. Symptoms of worm infections in puppies include failure to gain weight with normal or even increased appetite, weakness, lethargy, abnormally swollen stomach, diarrhea and/or vomiting, itchy skin, dull coat or coat problems, scratching rear end of the body. The most obvious sign of infestation is the detection of adult worms in the puppy's feces. Adult alive worms or infective eggs can be disposed through feces, so good hygiene practices must be in place. [otw_is sidebar="otw-sidebar-1"] There are five main groups of parasites that commonly infect puppies: ascarids (roundworms), nematodes (hookworms, heartworms, whipworms), cestodes (tapeworms), coccidia (Isospora, Cryptosporidium), and protozoa (Toxoplasma and Giardia). Following is a brief guide on some of the most common worms affecting puppies.
Picture of roundworms in dog feces. Roundworms in PuppiesRoundworms are the most common type of worms in adult dogs and in puppies as well. Puppies get these worms from their mothers, in utero or during the nursing period, but also from contaminated soil or stool. General signs of roundworm infestations in puppies include weight loss despite good appetite, a pot bellied appearances, and dullness. Roundworms resemble spaghetti in puppy`s poop. Due to possible migration to the lungs, they can cause respiratory problems. Tapeworms in dog feces Tapeworms in PuppiesTapeworms are segmented intestinal parasites, made up of small parts, each about 3 to 5 mm long. They live attached to the wall of the small intestine, unlike roundworms that live freely in the intestine. Another difference from roundworms is that in tapeworms it is necessary to have an intermediate host, which is a flea, so puppies and adult dogs acquire these parasites from fleas. Flea control is necessary during a dog's life, but many flea control products are not approved for dogs aged less than 8 weeks, so special consideration must be taken in choosing the right product. CDC's Public Health Image Library Image #5205 Hookworms in PuppiesAs the name suggests, these worms possess a hook-like apparatus around the mouth and the parasite attaches with it to the wall of the dog's intestine. The most common way of infection is – in the womb or through mother's milk, but also from infected feces. Another common way of infection is penetration directly through the skin from soil or grass. The most common symptoms include weight loss, pale gums, and diarrhea. Heartworms in a dog's heart Heartworms in PuppiesInfected mosquitoes are the sources of this infection. It takes at least 6 months for the larvae to mature into an adult inside a dog, so only after seven months, a dog can test positive for heartworm infection. This infection is preventable, and most veterinarians will start dogs on a protective regiment at the age of 8 weeks. It is important to remember that even if the puppy seems fine, and the parasites are not physically visible, that doesn’t mean he is a worm-free. Lungworms in PuppiesThe most common route of infection is by drinking contaminated water or through contaminated faces. The mother may pass it to the offspring as well, but rarely. Symptoms include a cough or other respiratory symptoms. [otw_is sidebar="otw-sidebar-1"] Whipworms in PuppiesWhipworms are the parasites of the large intestine. They are found everywhere in nature, but most usually in contaminated feces. The cycle from eggs to adult whipworm lasts 3 months, so first symptoms of this infestation will be seen in older puppies. Worming a Puppy for the First Time It is recommended to follow a standard puppy deworming schedule because worms are an inevitable part of a dog's life, and it is most likely that the puppy will have worms at some stage of growing up. Recommended deworming should be done at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age and then at 12 and 16 weeks of age. The deworming medication will kill the adult worms living in the puppy's intestine and they are expelled from the body via the anus. The most usual way of expelling dead parasites is during defecation, but, occasionally, parasites can be seen emerging from the puppy's anus even if he is not defecating at that moment. Usually, in this stage, they are in the process of dying. This can be very unsettling for owners who are not expecting this. Are there any side effects when worming a puppy for the first time? Side effects generally include minor intestinal problems like diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and some puppies may also act differently during a few days period. Diarrhea or loose stool that lasts up till 3 days is expected. One of the reactions to medication can be excessive drooling; which, combined with intestinal problems, it can make a puppy dehydrated, so it's important for the puppy to have access to clean water at all times. Unusual and rare side effects include lethargy, extreme pain and seizures, and in these cases, puppy must be checked by a veterinarian.
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When do you worm a puppy for the first time
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