What are the causes of roundworms in dogs? Explore the signs and symptoms of roundworms in dogs. Also, learn how you can get rid of them, including best treatments and home remedies. Read on to also learn how to prevent roundworms in dogs.
Roundworms in Dogs Symptoms
The following symptoms are very common in dogs which have roundworms:
- Roundworms in dogs normally live in intestines, thus depriving the dog of food nutrients—thus the symptoms of a heavy roundworm infection may include malnutrition like weakness, weight loss, and stunted growth.
- Potbellied appearance.When roundworms case is left untreated, the parasites might multiply quickly in intestines and then grow to the point where the presence of several adult worms gives the dog a potbellied look.
- Roundworm larvae may migrate to lungs and lead to coughing and many other respiratory symptoms, which sometimes can lead to serious conditions like pneumonia.
- Vomiting or diarrhea.Roundworms in dogs can lead to digestive upsets like vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea ranges from being mild to severe.
- Worms vomited up or visible in stools.
Pictures of Roundworms in Dogs (Images)
What do roundworms in dogs look like
Roundworms Vs Tapeworms in Dogs
Two of the common internal parasites in dogs are tapeworms and the roundworms. Both live in dog’s intestinal tract where they then steal crucial nutrients from food which passes by, thus threatening your dog’s health.
Knowing which worm has infected your dog is a crucial step towards administering of the correct treatment.
Dogs can host roundworms and tapeworms but sometimes indicate no symptoms.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are the long, segmented worms which live in dog’s intestines. They attach themselves by burrowing their heads into intestinal wall thus absorbing nutrients directly through their bodies. The common kind of tapeworm is normally made up of several segments, each containing its own reproductive organs.
The segments, which looks like grains of rice, break off and can be seen in a dog’s feces. Adult tapeworms may reach lengths of about 30 inches.
Roundworms
Roundworms resemble pieces of spaghetti and are common in puppies. Roundworms live in the digestive tract of dogs where they feed on the passing nutrients and thus irritate the linings of intestines. Several roundworms can lead to blockages and diarrhea.
Infected puppies can exhibit a dull coat, appear restless and develop a pot-bellied look if the infestation is very much severe. Roundworms in dogs may grow to about 6 inches in length.
Transmission
Tapeworms are transmitted when dogs consume fleas that are harboring the larva or rodents that were already infected. Tapeworms can also be transmitted to people, most commonly children who ingest an infected flea.
Roundworms in dogs may be transmitted from mother to her puppies through nursing, by animals of any age by consuming a small animal that is carrying the worm larva.
Diagnosis
Tapeworm segments may be seen in feces of dogs and are normally the first indication that your dog is infected. Since tapeworm eggs do not pass with feces, diagnosis is made visually. Large infestations might lead to diarrhea and vomiting where larger sections of the worm can possibly be seen.
Roundworms are diagnosed through fecal flotation exam, which is a process in which a sample of feces is usually submerged in a substance which leads to the eggs to rise and then is seen through a microscope. Adult roundworms in dogs are not seen in feces but sometimes can be revealed through the vomit.
What Causes Roundworms in Dogs
Adult dogs can be infected through ingestion of the roundworm eggs, which can be found in infected food, vomit, or feces. Puppies can contract the parasite by drinking the milk from an infected pregnant animal.
And if one of the newborns is exposed to roundworms, then the entire litter may contract the parasite.
Roundworms in dogs Poop (Feces)
When a dog is having roundworms, then the owner can see more of the worms in dog’s vomit or even stool. Needless to say, it may be alarming to see the large, spaghetti-like worms—sometimes are still moving.
If this occurs then ensure that you call your vet immediately, explaining what you just saw, and make an appointment to bring your dog in for treatment soon.
If you see very small, rice-size worms in dog’s stool, rather than being roundworms in dogs, they could be a parasite known as tapeworms which are usually carried by fleas. Contact your vet if you suspect any parasite that is affecting your dog.
Roundworms in dogs Vomit
Veterinarians diagnose the presence of roundworms by identifying a worm in vomitus of a dog or finding eggs on a fecal float test.
Unfortunately, eggs are usually shed intermittently, largely depending on the life cycle of the worm. That implies that even if your dog is infected, eggs might not be detectable on fecal float test.
Roundworms in Dogs Lungs
Dogs that are infested with roundworms appears malnourished and have very poor eating habits. Nostrils, ears, and lips appear pale, along with the dark, tarry stool and constipation.
If the parasite has already migrated into lungs, thus a hacking cough will be observed. Sudden death may also happen if the infection is very severe.
Roundworms in dogs usually manifest several symptoms. Lethargy and colic can also be present, including abdominal swelling and abnormal feces. When roundworm larvae have infected the lungs, then the dog can have a hacking cough.
How to Get Rid of Roundworms in Dogs
Your vet has the equipment that is used to diagnose the kind of worm that is creating problems. Sometimes there is more than a single type of parasite that is invading your dog’s intestines.
The vet can ask to bring in a fecal sample in a baggie so that he can carefully examine it under a microscope. This allows him to determine the presence of roundworms in dogs if any. Once the problem is diagnosed as roundworms, then the treatment is simple.
What are the causes of roundworms in dogs? Explore the symptoms of roundworms in dogs and learn how to et rid of them.
It is not something that any given dog owner would want to think about, but several dogs usually suffer from having intestinal worms at given point.
The most crucial indication of an intestinal worm infestation is the dog having white, squiggly worms in stool.
Other symptoms of roundworms in dogs include vomiting, weight loss, dull coat, increase in the appetite without having any weight gain, anemia (low red blood cell count), scooting over carpet or grass, mild to severe coughing and scratching at the base of the tail.
The common cause of worms in the dogs is by playing in infested soil, drinking contaminated water, drinking of milk of an infected dog and from fleas or even the rodents.
The types of worms which the dogs might suffer from include tapeworms, hookworms, threadworms, roundworms and heartworms. Most of the worms usually infest a dog’s intestinal tract, although they may as well affect other organs.
Regardless of a type of worm, the best remedy that is applied is prevention. Thus, it is crucial to keep the dog away from eating feces, which includes his own. Do not let the dog drink water from ponds, streams or even the lakes.
At the same time, there are several simple home remedies that are used to treat your dog for worms. Here are the home remedies for intestinal worms in dogs.
1. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds have a deworming compound known as the cucurbitacin, an amino acid which assists in expelling tapeworms and roundworms in dogs intestine.
Cucurbitacin usually paralyzes the worms, therefore preventing the worms from holding on tightly to intestinal walls especially during a bowel movement. Soon, the worms can be expelled from the digestive tract. Moreover, the small seeds provide several other health benefits for the dogs.
You require to grind pumpkin seeds, mix the powder into dog’s food and feed the dog twice daily. Use about 1 teaspoon of the ground seeds for every 15 pounds that your dog weighs.
Use the remedy until you stop noticing the worms in dog’s stool.
2. Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth might as well assist to get rid of worms, like roundworms in dogs, whipworms, and hookworms. But, it is not in any way effective against tapeworms.
DE is deadly to several insects, yet fully harmless to many animals. The microscopically sharp edges of DE usually pierce the parasites’ protective coating, which leads to dehydration and death.
You may as well DE internally and externally control a worm infestation.
- For dogs who are over 50 pounds, add about 2 tablespoons of food-grade DE to the food and give it at most once daily.
- For smaller dogs, keep the dosage to just 1 teaspoon per day.
Follow the remedy for at 4 weeks so as to destroy the adult worms and the eggs, hatchlings and the smaller worms throughout the lungs and the stomach.
To control fleas, which can lead to worms, rub the DE powder into dog’s coat. Wait for 15 minutes, bathe your dog. Use it 3 times a week.
Use only food-grade DE, as pool-grade DE might be toxic for the dog.
3. Cloves
Cloves have the potent antibacterial and antiparasitic properties which assist in destroying several types of intestinal worms.
Also, cloves assist in increasing the white blood cell count, which then boosts your dog’s immune system.
- For smaller dogs, give just about ¼ of a dry clove, crushed and then mixed into the puppy food once daily for only 1 week.
- For medium-sized dogs, give only ½ of a dry clove, crushed and mixed into food at most once daily for 1 full week.
- For large dogs, you should give 1 whole dry clove, crushed and then mixed into food at most once daily for 7 days.
Follow the remedy once again for 7 more days, after a break of 1 week just as a precautionary measure.
Ensure that you do not give the cloves of any form to the pregnant dogs as cloves are normally a uterine stimulant.
4. Papaya
The effective enzyme known as papain is normally found in papayas, can greatly assist to get your dog rid of intestinal parasites.
Papaya seeds also have anthelmintic and anti-amoebic properties, which implies that the seeds can get rid of the intestinal worms and several other parasitic organisms in dog’s digestive system.
- Give your dog about 2 tablespoons of the papaya seeds in a powdered form per 30 pounds of the dog weight. The remedy is to be followed for 6 or 7 consecutive days.
- You can feed your dog a ripe papaya in small chunks. Most of the dogs love the taste of papaya.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric contains antioxidant an anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce inflammation and damage to intestine which is brought about by a worm infestation. This herb also heals areas of intestines which were infested with the worms.
It also assists the liver to destroy the toxins that were left behind in the body by intestinal worms.
Also, the slightly bitter taste that is in turmeric paste is liked by the dogs.
You simply need to add some amount of turmeric to your dog’s food for up to 15 days. Use roughly ¼ teaspoon of turmeric per 15 pounds of dog’s body weight. Start low with the dosage and then increase it slowly.
If your dog is pregnant, then avoid giving any amount of turmeric as it can stimulate the uterus.
6. Wormwood
Another herb that can be used to get rid of intestinal parasites in dogs is wormwood. This herb can successfully expel roundworms in dogs, threadworms and the tapeworms when the dosage is correct.
Its antiparasitic nature assists to destroy the intestinal parasites and it improves digestion.
Add about ¼ teaspoon of the dried wormwood to dog’s food especially for the larger dogs. Cut the dosage in about half for puppies and other smaller dogs. Do not try to use this treatment for more than 4 consecutive days.
Consult a veterinarian before feeding the herb to your dog. Avoid overuse of the herb, as it may damage your dog’s nervous system. This particular herb is not also recommended for the dogs which have seizures, liver or any kind of kidney disease, or the females who are pregnant or even lactating.
7. Garlic
Garlic is herb which can be used to assist in the treatment of worm infestations in dogs. Raw garlic contains sulfur-containing amino acids which are usually antiparasitic in nature. But, when it comes to the garlic, it should be used in moderation.
Garlic assists to detoxify the body and supports beneficial bacteria in digestive tract while getting rid of the harmful bacteria. Because of its potent antimicrobial and antibiotic properties, it also fights parasites and the protozoan organisms.
Another benefit of using garlic is that it can also prevent flea infestations, especially in dogs.
You should give garlic based on the dog’s weight.
- Up to 15 pounds: ½ clove
- Up to 40 pounds: 1 clove
- Up to 70 pounds: 2 cloves
- Up to 90 pounds: 2.5 cloves
- 100 pounds and more: 3 cloves
Just grate the needed amount of garlic and then mix it with some amount of fennel before feeding it to your dog.
Garlic is to be given to dogs for no more than 7 days. Otherwise, it might be very harmful.
8. Carrots
During deworming period, it is crucial to include the carrots in dog’s diet.
This orange vegetable helps in expelling parasites by scrubbing of the weakened worms out of digestive tract. It also soothes inflamed intestinal walls.
Carrots are a very safe source of nutrients and great support for dog’s immune system, thus you should include carrots in dog’s diet on daily basis.
Give up to 2 tablespoons of grated carrots daily to the dog, largely depending upon its size.
Together with carrots, beetroots and the turnips might also be given to the worm-infested dogs.
9. Parsley Water
It is crucial to give your dog a parsley water on deworming treatment so as to assist keep the system working well. Parsley assists the body get rid of the toxins left behind in the digestive system by worms.
It reduces inflammation brought about by parasites that are adhering to the intestinal wall.
Parsley also has several nutrients which give a boost to your dog’s immune system.
- Put 1 bunch of the fresh parsley in a pan that has boiling water.
- Allow simmering for about 5 minutes.
- Remove it from heat and set it aside to cool.
- Strain the water and then store it in the refrigerator.
- Give your dog about 1 tablespoon of the parsley water for 15 pounds of the body weight, at most once a day for 14 days.
10. Black Walnut
Black walnut is a herb which assists to get rid of roundworms in dogs.
Only green hulls of black walnut are to be used to remove intestinal worms in dogs.
- Give your dog walnut tincture for no more than 3 weeks at a time. Use a single drop for every 15 pounds of body weight.
- Alternatively, give just ¼ of a 500 mg capsule for the dogs up to 25 pounds and just ½ capsule for the dogs 30 pounds and up. Continue for 2 weeks.
Black walnut might be toxic if you administer to the wrong dosage, thus be extra careful.
Additional Tips
- Avoid giving of whole milk and eggs to your dog when treating the roundworms in dogs.
- Frequently clean and sanitize areas where the dog spends most of the time, like his bed or even the kennel.
- Do not allow the dog to socialize with any other dogs when suffering from worm infestation.
- When taking your pet for a walk, then make sure that he does not eat anything from the ground.
- Avoid giving any raw meat and fish to your pet.
- Make sure that your pets always have enough amount of clean drinking water.
- Do not allow pets to drink from sources where other animals might have left their feces, like any stagnant water in the ponds or even near lakes.
- Try keeping your yard free of rodents and fleas so as to prevent any worm infestation.
- Schedule and maintain regular checkups with your vet. Get your dog’s stool checked from periodically so that he does not suffer from the intestinal worms.
- If possible, then prevent your pet from eating rodents and any other small animal.
- Do not allow your pet to roam freely when unsupervised. Keep it leashed so as to keep it from poking the face in stools of the other dogs.
- If required, give drugs that are prescribed by your vet.
Roundworms in Dogs Treatment (Cure)
Your vet will need a detailed description of dog’s symptoms, which includes onset, frequency, and abnormalities in stool. A physical exam can be done so as to search for symptoms such as the abdominal swelling and the pale membranes.
Bring a sample of dog’s stool to your appointment; the dead parasites are passed out in the fecal matter, and tests can be done also to be tested for any roundworms in dogs.
Deworming medications can be prescribed, depending on the type of parasite. You might need to provide your puppy with nutritional supplements, depending on the severity of the infection.
Rarely, puppies need any hospitalization for severe hookworm infections; this particular treatment entails the oxygen and fluid therapies. In very extreme cases of roundworm infestation, surgery might be required to get rid of the worms.
Are Roundworms in Dogs Contagious
Roundworm eggs are usually shed exclusively in feces; thus, very few eggs are found in areas which are not contaminated with the dog feces.
Also, due to it taking about 2 weeks for eggs to be infective after being shed in feces, direct contact with the roundworm-infected dogs has a low risk for infection (however, due to the small numbers of eggs being recovered from hair coats of puppies which are infected with roundworms).
Consequently, even when there are roundworms in dogs in the home, areas that are inside the home can thus have very few, if any, children’s toys are supposed to be essentially free of infective roundworms eggs.
How to prevent Roundworms in Dogs
Because roundworms may enter your dog’s body in several ways, it is crucial to keep your dog’s living area being clean, get rid of the feces regularly, and prevent your dog from eating small animals that might carry roundworms.
To do away with the roundworms in dogs which are passed from the mother dog, puppies are to be treated at the intervals of two weeks up to the age of 8 weeks and then get a preventive treatment that is administered monthly.
Fecal examinations are to be conducted about 4 times during the first year of life and 2 times each year in adults. Nursing mothers are to be kept on a monthly preventive and treated together with their puppies so as to decrease any risk of transmission.
Our Sources and References
- Roundworm Transmission From Dogs to Humans: Risk and Prevention: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/573090
- ROUNDWORMS: http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/roundworms/
- Preventing And Treating Worms In Dogs: http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/preventing-treating-worms-dogs/
- Healthy Pets: Everything You Need to Know About Roundworms in Dogs
- Home Remedies for Intestinal Parasites (Worms) in Dogs: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/pets/home-remedies-intestinal-parasites-worms-dogs.html
