Regular worming is essential to make sure your pet enjoys the best of health.
Roundworms (including Toxocara canis) and tapeworms are intestinal parasites which can be found in any dog although infection is easily treated. Worms may cause sickness and diarrhoea in young animals. Adult dogs may show no signs of ill health but still need regular worming.
Human infection (toxocariasis) may occur if mature Toxocara (roundworm) eggs are swallowed; however, it is very rare for anyone to become ill as a result. About 1-2% of healthy adults in the UK already possess Toxocara antibodies which mean that they have been exposed to Toxocara eggs or larvae with no ill effects.
Children are more vulnerable to Toxocara infection because they might pick it up when playing on grassland where the faeces from dogs carrying worms have been deposited. On the rare occasions when human disease does occur it usually causes only mild symptoms. In exceptional cases it can cause damage to the eye in young children.
The chances of developing toxocariasis are minimal. It is estimated that there are only about two new cases of disease due to Toxocara infection per million of the population each year. However, if every owner treated their dog with a worming preparation, and cleared up after their dog, toxocariasis would be virtually eradicated. Newly deposited faeces are not infectious.
WHAT TO DO
Worming is easy, effective and costs little. You can get a suitable worming preparation from your vet, pharmacist, pet shop or supermarket. There are many worming preparations on the market, so ask your vet or pharmacist which is the most effective product for your pet and for help in choosing which you will be able to administer successfully. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. If in doubt, ask your vet for advice.
TIP: Shallowford recommend DRONTAL, this is available to buy without needing a trip to the vet and can save the cost of the consultation. Weigh your puppy or dog and give according to the directions.
ADULT DOGS
Adult dogs are relatively resistant to infection but nevertheless should be routinely wormed at least every 6 months.
PREGNANT BITCHES
Pregnant bitches and bitches with young puppies should be wormed more frequently. Bitches should be wormed before mating, after the first 45 days of pregnancy and after giving birth to and whilst weaning pups. Consult your vet when treating a pregnant bitch.
PUPPIES
It is important to worm puppies as it is reasonable to assume that all puppies are infected with Toxocara canis and produce larger numbers of eggs than an adult dog. Puppies should be wormed from about 2 weeks of age. Great care has to be taken when treating a young animal, so always seek the advice of your vet before doing so. Worming should continue at regular intervals (a minimum of four times) until the puppy is at least 6 months old. Thereafter follow the advice of your vet.
WORM YOUR DOG
Worming your dog is one of the easiest ways of making sure that your pet enjoys the best of health. What's more, if every dog owner wormed their dog on a regular basis it would virtually eradicate the possibility of any human illness due to infection by Toxocara. Healthy pets help to keep humans healthy too.
NOTE
It is not uncommon to see blood in your small puppy’s motions for some days after worming. If your puppy seems otherwise well and is eating regularly, there is no need for concern. This should clear within about 14 days.