Dog Worms - Has Your Dog Been Infected?

Title: Dog Worms - Has Your Dog Been Infected?
Author: Douglas Hanna

Here's the thing about dogs. First, they forage for food - just
like many animals. Second, they'll eat just about anything,
including feces.

Because of these two traits, dogs are very prone to developing
worms - worms which can make them sick and even kill them. This
includes heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and
tapeworms.

So how can you tell if your dog is suffering from any of these
worms?

Here are the worms that are most likely to infest your dog and
their symptoms.

Hookworms

Hookworms are usually found in dog feces. If your dog has a
habit of eating feces, watch for this illness. The symptoms of
hookworms include loose stool or blood in the stool, bloating,
gas, and an unusual appetite. Also, the dog's coat may become
duller.

Roundworms

Roundworms are caused when the dog ingests the egg of the
roundworm. Also puppies can become infected through their
mother. Signs to look for that your dog has roundworms include
vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and an unusual appetite.

Heartworms

Heartworms most often come from mosquitoes. This usually occurs
during the warmer months when dogs are exposed to these pests.
Heartworms are very dangerous and, if left untreated, can
actually kill your dog. Symptoms to watch out for include
lethargy, coughing, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing.
You might also notice that your dog is becoming more tired than
usual after exercise. This condition needs to be treated
immediately by a vet.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms occur when dogs eat fleas. While this may not be a
pleasant exercise, you should regularly check the dog's rectum
to see if there are any white, rice-like parasites in the area.
If you, the dog is almost sure to have tapeworms. Symptoms of
these worms include an inability to digest food, weight loss,
and stomach pain.

Whipworm

Whipworm occurs when dogs eat worm-infested feces or when they
step in feces and then lick their paws. A dog with whipworm will
often have a bloody stool, an unusual appetite, and will become
bloated, experience cramps, and have a dull coat.

Other conditions that can affect your dog's health include
Coccidia which are parasites caused by ingesting feces. Symptoms
of this disease include loose stool, vomiting, loss of weight,
and bloating.

Another parasite which can affect pups is called Giardia. These
parasites are found mostly in areas where there is a lot of
water. The ingestion of Giardia can cause loose stool, loss of
weight, and bloating.

The key is early detection

Early detection is the key to treating these illnesses. If your
dog displays any of the symptoms listed in this article, be sure
to get it to your vet for a checkup. Also, make sure your dog
receives regular check-ups as this gives your vet the
opportunity to check for worms and other conditions by taking
stool samples.

It is always better to err on the side of caution and carefully
watch your dog's behavior and habits. If they
change in any way, make an appointment with your vet to get the
problem diagnosed and treatment started immediately.

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