How Dogs Get Roundworms

If you have a dog, one thing you need to be aware of are roundworms. Obviously you may be wondering what roundworms are and why they can be such a negative thing for your dog. Basically, roundworms are tiny worms that have a body that is rounded. Usually, they are somewhere between 3-5 inches in length and they stay in the intestines of a dog, eating food that has been somewhat digested. While they don't stick to the intestine, they do swim around in the food and the eggs are passed into the excrement of the dog.

Causes of Roundworms

There are a couple of different things that can lead to a dog getting roundworms. Firstly, puppies who have mothers with roundworms can get roundworms from their mother. Even if the mother didn't even test positive for the worms, if they have ever had them they can still pass them on to their puppies. Roundworms can also be passed to puppies through the milk of their mother too. Any dog can get struck down with roundworms if they happen to swallow any roundworm eggs. Once they eat the eggs, the worms hatch in their bodies and ultimately make their way to the intestines of the dog. There are other animals that can have these roundworms and pass them on to dogs, including chickens, rodents, cockroaches and earthworms.

Treating Roundworms

Thankfully, it is quite simple to eliminate roundworms in dogs. There are a couple of good drugs that are available that can be used to help kill the roundworms, and they are usually effective and safe for your dog. Most of the drugs work by paralyzing the worms so they can be passed out of the dog in their excrement. Most of the time, it will take at least two or three doses to completely get rid of the roundworms and it is recommended to do these treatments with a few weeks in between them. However, you need to remember that these drugs are not going to kill any of the eggs or any premature forms of roundworms either.

Preventing Roundworms

While treating roundworms is possible, it is recommended to prevent your dog from getting roundworms. Your dog can avoid getting roundworms by following these tips:

– Make sure that mothers are dewormed later in their pregnancy so that the worms are not passed on to their puppies.

– When your puppies are 2-3 weeks old you should deworm them, and from then on they should be dewormed on a regular basis.

– Anytime that you discover any type of worm problem, be sure that you instantly treat the problem.

- Always get rid of any dog feces, whether they are in your yard, at a park, or in a playground, to prevent roundworms from transferring from one dog to another.

Natalie is the author of WormsInMyPet.com. Visit her web site for more free advice on eliminating worms and preventing worms in your dog.