Factsheets

Worms

Animals with worms may or may not show visible signs all the time, so it is up to you the owner to treat your pet regularly against worms. Some worms, particularly roundworms from dog faeces present a real public health risk, especially for small children when infected soil is ingested. More information can be found in the sections below.

If you are concerned about your pet or have any questions, feel free to phone our surgery on (0131) 667 2478.

DOES MY DOG HAVE WORMS?

A very difficult question to answer for a number of reasons. Both Roundworm and Hookworm eggs voided in the faeces are invisible to the naked eye, so unless you are lucky enough, or unlucky enough, depending on your point of view, to see the adult worms or Tapeworm segments, your dog could easily have worms without you knowing.

The vast majority of puppies have Roundworms as they can be infected before birth, the migrating larvae being able to cross the placenta. Young puppies can also become infected through drinking their mother's milk which may also contain infective larvae.

There are three types of worms that can infect dogs, Roundworms, Tapeworms & Hookworms.

PUPPIES

Roundworm

The vast majority of puppies have Roundworms as they can be infected before birth, the migrating larvae being able to cross the placenta. Young puppies can also become infected through drinking their mother's milk which may also contain infective larvae.

Treatemnt Regime: puppies sould be wormed from 3weeks of age, every 2weeks until 15weeks of age, then every 3months. This will be provided at the time of your puppy's vaccination.

ADULT DOGS

Roundworm

In most adult dogs the number of worms is few and as a result there are few clinical symptoms. Eggs take 2weeks to become infective after being voided in the faeces. young adult dogs, pregnant bitches and bitches in season are responsible for most of the environmental contamination with Roundworm eggs. Humans infected with Roundworms, usually from ingesting comtaminated soil, can show respiratory, abdominal and eye problems, occasionally leading to blindness.

Tapeworm

Heavy infestations can cause anal irritaion, digestive disturbances and ill thrift. They are aesthetically unpleasant as the segments, which resemble rice grains, leave via the anus to deposit their eggs. The most common Tapeworm in dogs is Dipylidium Caninum which is contracted when the dog eats an infected flea, so for obvious reasons tapeworm treatment should be accmpanied by vigorous steps to control any associated flea problems. Humans can be infected by ingesting the eggs of a particular type of tapeworm.

Hookworm

These can cause anaemia and, because they burrow through the skin, can also cause skin and feet lesions.Hookworm infestation is common in Greyhound and Hunt kennels, but can occasionally be encountered where large numbers of dgos congregate - especially if it is damp underfoot.

Treatment Regime: Advice on the control of Roundworm, Tapeworm and Hookworm along with the most suitable medication can be acquired from the practice. At Braid Vets, we recommend worming 4 times a year. Treatment may be purchased at the practice, and will be routinely encouraged at your dog's health check and vaccination visit

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DOES MY CAT HAVE WORMS?

A very difficult question to answer for a number of reasons. Roundworm eggs voided in the faeces are invisible to the naked eye, so unless you are lucky enough, or unlucky enough, depending on your point of view, to see the adult worms or Tapeworm segments, your cat could easily have worms without you knowing.

There are two types of worms that can infect cats, Roundworms and Tapeworms.

. KITTENS

Roundworm

In kittens, Roundworm infestation can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and a pot-bellied appearance and a failure to thrive.

Treament Regime: kittens should be wormed every 2weeks until 15weeks of age, then every 3months. This treatment will be provided at the time of your kittens' first health examination.

ADULT CATS

Roundworm

Unlike dogs, cats are not thought to be the major source of roundworms to humans. Young cats (less than 1year old) and prenant or nursing queens are responsible for most of the environmental contamination with roundworm eggs.

Tapeworm

Heavy infestations can cause anal irritation, digestive disturbances and ill thrift. They are aresthetically unpleasant as they resemble rice grains, leave via the anus to deposit their eggs. the most common Tapeworm in cats is Dipylidium caninum which is contracted when the cat eats an infected flea or louse. For obvious reasons, Tapeworm treatment should also be accompanied by vigorous steps to control any flea associated problems.

A second type, Taenia, is usually contracted through hunting.The time between eating an infective stage of worm to showing segements varies from approximately 3weeks in the case of Dipylidium to 2-3months in the Taenia species of worm. In adult cats, worms are usually acquired through hunting, resulting in few clinical symptoms.

Treatment Regime: Advice on the control of Roundworm and Tapeworm along with the most suitable medication can be acquired from the practice. At Braid, we recommend worming every 3months. Treatment may be purchased at the practice, and will be routinely at each check up and vaccination visit.