Small Animal Care
WORMING ADVICE
Worms are internal parasites that are common in both dogs and cats. Most pets pick up worms while out and about and it's not always easy to tell if they are infested as often there aren't any outward symptoms of ill health. However, in sufficient numbers worms can cause your companion to lose weight and/or have sickness and diarrhoea. They also pose a potential risk to human health, which is why prevention is so important.
There are two groups of worms most commonly found in dogs and cats: these are roundworms and tape worms.
Roundworms
Our pets pick up roundworms by eating their larvae and the adult worm then develops inside the animal's body, with worms and eggs being passed out in faeces. These eggs then develop into larvae and the cycle starts again.
The most common species of roundworm in dogs is Toxocara canis which can also infect people; children are particularly vulnerable as eggs can be picked up in contaminated soil. Once ingested by children, the worm larvae can migrate through the body and, if they reach the eyes, they may potentially cause damage to eyesight. This highlights how vital it is to 'pick up' after your dog.
Tapeworms
There are several different species of tapeworm that can affect your pet, each with a unique method of infection. The most common species is acquired by swallowing fleas carrying larvae, when grooming. Once inside the animal's gut, the larva develops into an adult worm that can grow up to 5 metres in length. Other species are acquired by eating infected rodents/rabbits or through uncooked meats.
From the information above it's clear that preventing worm infestation is better than to wait until there's a problem. The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) recommends that dogs are wormed at least every 3 months. More regular treatment of young puppies and kittens is particularly important. Please speak to the nurse or vet about specific worming programmes and products for the new addition to your family.
