Worming Dogs and Cats
Worm infestation is very common in dogs and cats and can cause distress and ill health. The two most common types of worms that trouble our pets are roundworms and tapeworms.
Roundworms are spread from animal to animal and are very similar looking to earthworms but much thinner. They can vary from ½” to several inches in length and are usually vomited up or passed through in the motion. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to roundworms and are often infected at birth where the roundworm larvae are passed from the mothers milk to the puppy.
Roundworms can be passed on to humans if the eggs are accidentally ingested. Often this is from the fingers or from plates that pets have licked or from the soil. Care must be particularly advised when there are young children in the environment.
Tapeworms consist of segments with a head that attaches itself to the intestine. Mature segments break away and can be seen in the motions or around the base of the tail. They appear to show signs of life and resemble flattened grains of rice. Tapeworms are not usually a problem in puppies and kittens but once they are over 6 months of age then treatment should be considered. The symptoms are poor coat and condition and anal irritation is also a sign of infestation.
Fleas are carriers of tapeworm eggs and are a common cause of infestation sometimes picked up from other animals such as birds and rodents therefore it is a good idea to treat your pets with a suitable insecticide as well as pet beds carpets and the like. Constant scratching and twitching is a sign of flea infestation and tiny black droppings can often be seen when the coat is combed out.
Whipworms and Hookworms are less common than the roundworms and tapeworms mentioned so far. Ancylostoma caninum is the most important hookworm of dogs. The eggs hatch into larvae on the ground and have the ability to penetrate skin on contact. Dogs in kennelled environments often develop painful sores around their pads from these migrating larvae. They can affect both cats and dogs, and feed on the animal’s blood. The range of symptoms can be wide, from mild diarrhoea through to emaciation, blood loss, dehydration and death. These worms are not very big (around 3 inches and ½ inch respectively) but they can cause a lot of damage, particularly in young animals, where they can cause diarrhoea (often with blood), anaemia, weight loss and lethargy.
Hookworms are becoming more of a problem, mainly because the fox population is heavily infected. Studies have shown infection levels of almost 70% in foxes, and with an ever-growing urban fox population, even town and city-dwelling cats and dogs are potentially at risk.
What are the signs if my cat or dog has worms?
It’s not easy to know if a cat or dog is infected with worms, particularly in the early stages. However, if severely infected, your dog or cat may suffer from vomiting or diarrhoea, and will probably lose weight and condition. In practice, roundworm infections are often symptom-less in the adult dog or cat, but cause severe problems in young animals. Heavy roundworm infections may cause a distended stomach and ‘pot-bellied’ appearance – particularly noticeable in puppies and kittens. As the larvae migrate through the puppy, pneumonia and coughing may be seen. Animals may fail to put on weight and severe infestations may be fatal.
A cat with tapeworms may spend more time than usual cleaning its bottom, since the egg-filled worm segments cause irritation. In dogs, dragging of the bottom along the ground is a sign that is sometimes seen (though this sign may commonly be caused by other conditions e.g. anal gland problems). You may even find segments in your dog or cat’s bedding – they are pale in colour, and about the size of a grain of rice. And, like roundworms, severe infections can cause vomiting or diarrhoea.
It’s worth remembering though, that by the time symptoms are visible, the worms have reached maturity, and are already damaging your cat or dog’s health.
Many infestations are symptom-less, and so if you don’t treat your pet regularly, it’s fairly likely your dog or cat will have worms, even if there are no signs.
How do I treat worms?
Worms are, unfortunately, impossible to prevent. There is no preventative treatment that will stop your cat or dog becoming infected. However, there are thankfully a number of very effective products that will kill worms. By killing the worms, this will also stop them from producing eggs, or segments, that will infect the environment. Remember however, that most oral worming products are effective at the time of use – they do not have a prolonged action.
It is necessary to use a worming treatment regularly – every 3 months is recommended in adult dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens should be wormed more regularly up until the age of one year. Please contact Wormers Online for suitable wormers for young pets or pregnant or lactating bitches or queens
For advice on wormers please e-mail us at: mail@wormersonline.co.uk