A major aspect of your puppy’s lifetime health is their flea and worming regime. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to contracting worms and may even be born with worms already in their system. Worm prevention from two weeks old is essential for maintaining your puppy’s health.
Types of Worms in Puppies
Dogs are prone to intestinal worms, including:
- Hookworms
There are a number of ways dogs can become infested with hookworm, including coming into contact with larvae infested soil, or ingesting the larvae in food or water.
- Tapeworms
Usually transmitted by fleas. Segments of tapeworm, similar-looking to grains of rice, may be noticed in your pup’s faeces or around their bottom. In some instances, your pup may vomit up segments of tapeworm.
- Roundworm
Infection can occur by ingesting infected faeces. Infected dogs can even transmit it to their pups via the mammary glands during feeding.
Puppy Worms: Symptoms
Common symptoms of worms include:
- Scooting (otherwise known as when your dog drags their bum along the ground)
- Change in appetite
- Dull coat
- Round, bloated belly
- You might even see worms in your buddy’s faeces.
Left untreated, your puppy may experience the following as a result of intestinal worms:
- Loss of condition
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
In extreme cases, death may occur as a result of the above symptoms.
Puppy Worming Treatment
While worms can be debilitating for your puppy, the good news is that they are also very easy to prevent. Administering an ‘all wormer’ treatment, available in either a paste or a tablet, will protect your pup from all types of intestinal worms including roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm; some of which can transfer from dogs to humans (just in case you were second guessing whether it was worth it!).
How often should I worm my puppy?
Your puppy’s worming schedule should look like the following:
- 2 – 12 Weeks: Liquid wormer every 2 weeks
- 12 Weeks – 6 Months: Worming tablet every 4 weeks
- 6+ Months: Worming tablet every 3 months
How to treat puppy heartworm
Prevention comes in the form of:
- Yearly injections
- Monthly tablets, chewables and spot-ons
One thing to keep in mind, is that most ‘all wormers’ do not prevent heartworm.
As part of their ongoing healthcare, your puppy should also be vaccinated, and their flea treatment kept up to date.