Canine Worms

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, dog diarrhea (you may or may not notice worms in this), vomiting, frequent coughing and/or he may just seem 'out of sorts'.

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.

Recognizing And Treating Worms In Puppies

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

I'd strongly recommend always having your pup dewormed by your vet, and not using over-the-counter worming medications. Although veterinarian prescribed deworming medications can cause diarrhea or tummy upset in some pups, they are very effective.

Over-the-counter medications for canine worms are generally far less effective and can have more serious, unwanted (and even dangerous) side effects.

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.

Hookworms

There are 4 varieties of Hookworms, and the one that is most often seen is also the most dangerous. These canine worms are most common in warm climates, and are transmitted through feces or infected soil.

These nasty little parasites penetrate the skin of their animal (or human) host, and travel through the bloodstream to the intestines. There they attach to the intestinal lining and actually live on your pups blood!

Symptoms of Hookworm infestation include bloody stools, weight loss, weakness, severe anaemia or pneumonia. They can kill young puppies quite quickly.

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.

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....

Search here for more information on Rottweilers or anything else you want to know about this breed........

Your Rottweiler Puppy

Taking Care Of A Puppy

Canine Health Issues

Puppy Vaccinations

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