Dog Worms: What's The Big Deal?

Title: Dog Worms: What's The Big Deal?
Author: Miss Debra Rae

Dogs get worms. These are not the fishing kind or the brown
ones found in super soil. These worms are parasites and live
inside your dog. They feed off your dog and make them very sick.

Some worms are zoonotic and can be transferred to humans. Be
especially mindful of worms if your dog is ever around children.
Children often will allow a dog or puppy to lick their face and
if your dog has worms, has recently licked themselves and then
"kissed" a human, the worms could transfer over. Worms in humans
can cause blindness, fatigue, immune dysfunction and anemia.

One of the most common dog worms is the roundworm. These
creatures live in the intestines. If not treated, they can cause
pot belly and stunt the growth of a puppy. These worms look like
spaghetti and sometimes show up in feces or vomit. If you see
these spaghetti roundworms, don't touch them. Put a baggie
around your hand, pick them up and throw them away. Sterilize
the area with some bleach water and get your dog to a
Veterinarian for treatment.

Another type of worm is the hookworm. These parasites set up
house in your dog's small intestine and feed off of their blood.
Hookworms can be caught from contaminated soil and not just
stepping into or ingesting infected dog feces. These blood
suckers, if not treated, can cause anemia, intestinal bleeding,
diarrhea and severe abdominal pain.

Hookworms are zoonotic (transferable to humans) and are
commonly referred to as "cutaneous larva migrans." In other
words, these worms creep/migrate just under the human skin
causing all sorts of problems. These cannot be seen by the naked
eye. To be diagnosed requires a fecal test and microscopic
viewing.

Tapeworms are another intestinal parasite. Your dog picks up
these body buddies from eating fleas who are carriers of this
worm. Dogs that live in rural areas and/or hunt, often eat
wildlife that have fleas who carry the tapeworm. Tapeworms look
like rice and show themselves in your dog's feces and around
their anus. If you see these worms, get your dog in for
treatment.

Whipworms are another parasite that can infest your dog and can
only be seen under a microscope. These hearty worms require
special treatment. The regular "Drontal" dewormer will not kill
these fellas. Whipworms can cause severe diarrhea, flatulence,
weight loss and a dog who generally doesn't feel well.

Heartworms are another real threat for your canine family
member. These killer worms are carried around by mosquitoes. If
your dog is bitten by a carrier mosquito and has not been
protected by "Heartgard" or other heartworm preventatives, death
is a very real possibility. At the least, heartworm treatment is
very expensive and not always successful.

The bottom line is worms are treatable and preventable. .

All puppies need to be de-wormed several times over a few
months beginning with their first Veterinary visit. All adult
dogs need a worm fecal test at least once a year at their annual
physical check up.

If you suspect your dog has worms, get a fecal test. A typical
cost for this is about $15-20. If your dog does have worms,
treatment is very affordable.

One of the best ways to prevent worms is "Heartgard". This
incredible creation, when used as directed, prevents heartworms,
hookworms and roundworms. Put your dog on "Heartgard" for life.
It just may save it.

Prevention and treatment of worms is easy, affordable and your
precious dog is worth it. If you have questions or concerns
about worms, please talk with your Veterinarian or Veterinary
Technician.

About The Author: Miss Rae has been a poet & writer since
college at UW, class of 1996. Click on over to her site for all
your dog's needs from training programs and nutrition to
choosing a vet, dental health and books galore. Visit
http://www.goodpoopy.com/index.html.

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