04/10/2024
Worming Advice 🪱
Worms are a very common parasite in the UK, they can affect your dogs health but also carry a human health risk. We have many preventative treatment options for worms such as tablets and spot ons.
Below is some more information on the types of worms we commonly see.
Tapeworm - Long ribbon worms that resemble pieces of tape. They live in the small intesting and attach themselves to the lining, absorbing nutrients from the gut. They reproduce when segments break off which are full of tapeworm eggs which are then seen in your dogs faeces and can look like moving grains of rice. Signs of tapeworm infection are diarrhoea, itching around the a**s, lack of energy, weight loss and poor skin & coat.
Lungworm - a parasite than can be fatal. These are short worms which live within the chambers of the heart. They are passed through snails and slugs but dogs can become infected by eating grass, drinking from puddles, or toys that have been left outside in grass. Symptoms include coughing, going off food, changes to breathing, weight loss, tiredness, bruising and pale gums to name a few.
Hookworms - Latch themselves onto the inside wall of the small intestine and feed off blood. Hookworms can be passed from mother to puppies, can be swallowed in soil or faeces from@other dogs or foxes and through the skin usually around their feet. Signs are - diarrhoea, pale gums, off food & tiredness.
Whipworms - senior dogs are more at risk of a whipworm burden than younger, and their eggs are very hardy! Signs of a whipworm infection can include bloody diarrhoea, anaemia, dehydration and tiredness.
As always prevention is better than cure so please get in touch with your vet to make sure you are up to date with worming protection.
