Roundworms in Puppies

There are mainly five types of worms in puppies. However, roundworms in puppies is the most common type found. Roundworms are mostly circular or tubular in shape and are generally 2 to 4 inch in size which can grow up-to 7 inches within a short span of time. There are mainly two types of roundworms i.e Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis .

Causes

Roundworms also known as Ascaris are parasites that are passed from the mother to the puppy in the form of egg/larvae in the womb. It can even be passed through the mother's milk. If the puppy goes close to the feces of an infected animal, there are more chances of the puppy getting infected. Roundworms can also be passed on from the feces of puppies' mother. Puppies can also get infected by consuming a prey which is infected with the roundworm larvae. The roundworm larvae moves through the puppy's liver, then muscles, then lungs and finally reaches the intestines of the puppy and feeds on the partially digested food.

Symptoms

Puppies face a lot of problems when infected with roundworms. They find difficulty in swallowing and urinating. Various dog allergies including frequent vomiting, diarrhea, urination, coughing, sneezing, breathing, extreme weight loss, dull hair, pneumonia, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, problems while passing stools, extreme weight loss, weight gain in the belly, stunted growth, anemia are all symptoms of roundworms in puppies. If the roundworms are not detected on time, then it may even result in the death of the puppy.

Treatment

Deworming is extremely important for puppies when they are 3 weeks old, as the chances of the puppy getting infected is high since its body resistance is low. But it is extremely important to seek advice from the veterinarian before starting any treatment. Fenbendazole, Piperazine, Pyrantel, etc. are commonly used medicines to control roundworms in dogs. However, these medicines may cause side effects in puppies, thus it is important to consult the vet. Resistance to any type of infection starts when the puppy is 6 months old.

The veterinarian performs a microscopic examination of the puppy's stool and then advises about the medication needed for the puppy. During the treatment process the roundworms are not completely killed, as the medicines only let the puppy pass out the roundworms through stools. The roundworm larvae may still remain in the puppies intestines, thus the treatment should be continued for 2 months at least.

Another way of treating the puppy is through homeopathy, it is regarded to be safe. Mix half to 2 cloves of fresh, chopped garlic in the puppy's food and two teaspoons of oat barns or grated carrots added to each meal will help in getting rid of the worm from the puppy's intestine. Do remember, proper puppy care can prevent a lot of dog health problems. You can also clean the area where your puppy does its bowel movements by adding 1% of bleach to water, this way you can remove the sticky outer coating of the eggs, but remember to do this safely.

Treating roundworms in puppies can be quite a task, so always follow proper dog care to prevent the symptoms from showing up in your puppy again. Keep a check on your puppy's body to see any changes or if any kind of parasite has infested the puppy. Always keep the surrounding clean and disinfect the place regularly. Dispose the puppy food if the puppy does not eat it, do not keep the food open for a very long time. Deworming the pregnant dog while she is in her later stages of pregnancy helps a lot. Do not forget to deworm the puppy as and when required. Dispose the puppy feces in the proper place and also avoid taking your dog to places where other dogs defecate. Humans can also get infected by dog worms, so proper puppy care and proper hygiene should be maintained.