Canine Worms – What You Need To Know

Canine worms are parasites that take up residence inside your Rottweiler puppy (or dog), and if left untreated can cause some serious health issues.

These annoying little parasites are very common, and in fact most puppies are born with Roundworms in their intestinal tract (studies indicate as many as 9 out of 10 newborn puppies have them!) .

Roundworms are the most common type of worms in puppies and are most often transmitted to the pups through their momma’s milk.

There are other types of intestinal worms – Tapeworms, Hookworms and Whipworms, and then there are Heartworms (a type of roundworm) which migrate to a dogs’ heart and are extremely dangerous.

Now although a mild case of intestinal worms isn’t likely to cause any serious problems in the short term, they have to be treated properly to prevent serious complications.

Canine worms attach themselves to the inside of your pups intestines and then live off the nutrients in his/her bloodstream.

Worms in puppies (and dogs) multiply very quickly, and a lot of worms can use up all the nutrition your puppy is getting from his food. Obviously this is NOT good for your puppy.

Some of the most common symptoms of canine worms include:

  • A ‘pot’ belly (hard, round, distended and out-of-proportion with the rest of the pup)
  • Dry and dull coat
  • Excessive hunger
  • Diarrhea (you may or may not notice worms in this)
  • Vomiting
  • Coughing

Luckily, intestinal canine worms normally respond well to the right medications, and regular de-worming will keep your puppy free from these nasty little parasites.

Heartworms need to be prevented and regular heartworm preventative is vital to your pups health.

 

Types of Canine Worms

The best way to make sure that canine worms don’t cause problems for your Rottweiler, is to have your veterinarian run a fecal test and then treat your pup according to the results.

In general, de-worming is done routinely by your veterinarian at the same time as your puppy has his puppy vaccinations.

I generally recommend having your pup dewormed by your vet if this is your first puppy, and advise against using over-the-counter worming medications.

This is because the type of over-the-counter medications for canine worms often found in petstores or superstore chains are generally far less effective and can have more serious, unwanted (and even dangerous) side effects than the type of products your veterinarian will use.

However, there are some very safe and effective canind dewormers that can be bought without a prescription and which I personally feel comfortable using.

If you want to deworm your Rottweiler puppy (or take care of the annual deworming of your older dog), these dog deworming products might be what you’re looking for.

Here is some more general information on canine worms that will help you to keep your puppy parasite-free…..

Roundworms

These very common canine worms are transmitted to newborn puppies through their momma’s milk, and also through the feces of infected dogs.

This type of worms in dogs can also be transmitted to humans, so excellent hygiene is very important! Children are most likely to pick up these worms as they’re not always very careful about hand-washing.

If your puppy has a lot of roundworms you may notice them in his stools. They’re long, thin, pale colored worms. In really severe infestations puppies may also vomit up these worms!

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are another common type of worms in puppies. They’re flat, segmented worms and can reach up to 6″ long (or more).

They’re most commonly transmitted to puppies and dogs by fleas, so it’s very important to make sure that you use an effective flea preventative on your Rottweiler.

You may notice tapeworms in your puppy’s stools, without realizing what they are. This is because tapeworms are shed in segments, each one looking like a small grain of rice.

The most common type of tapeworms can’t be transmitted to people, but there is a rare variety that can be. This type of tapeworm can make a human host very sick indeed, so the issue of personal hygiene is still very important.

Whipworms

This type of canine worms are less common than the two varieties above, and are difficult to diagnose. They’re transmitted through feces or infected soil.

They are also intestinal worms, and can cause severe weight loss in infected puppies or dogs. The stools of a pup with whipworms often contains a fair amount of mucus due to the irritation they set up.

Heartworms

These canine worms are transmitted by mosquitoes and are extremely dangerous to your puppy as they attack the heart muscle.

By the time a Heartworm infestation is symptomatic, it is often too late for successful treatment. These worms in dogs are prime candidates for the old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’. Your main aim is to PREVENT your pup from ever contracting these parasites.

A monthly heartworm preventative (such as Heartgard Plus) is the best way to protect your precious puppy, and yearly Heartworm tests by your vet are recommended.

 

Treating Worms In Dogs & Puppies

Dog worm medication is most effective when given, or prescribed by your veterinarian.

Over the counter products that you can buy in petstores are often not very effective and can even have dangerous side effects, so I’d always recommend having your vet take care of this for you if possible.

But if you want to deworm your dog yourself, there is aneffective, FDA-Approved broad spectrum de-wormer for dogs and puppies that you can buy. It’s called Panacur…..

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Panacur C – Canine Dewormer

Active ingredient: Fenbendazole. One of the most popular, and safest, canine dewormers.

Effective against four common types of dog worms – roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms and hookworms. Safe for puppies over 2 weeks of age as well as pregnant or nursing dogs.

Can also be used to help prevent and treat Giardia.

Dosage is generally 1g per 10lbs of body weight, and it needs to be given to your puppy for 3 consecutive days. Available in powder form which is easily mixed into your puppy’s food.

Side effects are rare, but occasionally some loose stools or vomiting can happen. If it seems excessive or serious, consult your vet right away, but this is highly unlikely.

If you’d prefer to try an all-natural approach to dealing with canine worms, there is an excellent holistic product you can try…..

 

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HomeoPet Worm Clearicon

This natural, broad-spectrum homeopathic liquid dewormer is all-natural and formulated to treat three of the most common types of canine worms – hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.

It’s a gentle, safe alternative to traditional dog dewormers and contains only natural ingredients which work to expel worms from your puppy’s body.

Easy to administer and with no known side effects.

If you have questions about canine worms, or any other niggling worries, you can peace of mind for a lot less than the cost of a vet visit by asking an online veterinarian….

 

Ask Dog Veterinarians Now
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About The Rotty lover 2159 Articles
My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone