Useful Info Associated With Roundworms In Pups
There are five types of worms that can be found in puppies. Among the five types of worms, roundworms are the most common. Roundworms are circular and tubular in shape. Generally they are 2-4 inches in size but it can grow up to 7 inches in a short period of time. There are two common types of roundworms: Toxascaris leonina and Toxacara canis.
Roundworms are parasites that are passed to the puppy in the womb through egg or larvae. They can also be passed to the puppies though the milk of the mother. Aside from this, puppies can also get roundworms if they get close to the feces of an animal with the said parasite or through the feces of their mother. Consuming prey infected with roundworms can make the puppies acquire the infection as well. The larvae moves through the liver, then to the muscles, then to the lungs and then to the puppies’ intestines where they feed on the partially digested food.
If infected with roundworms, puppies may have trouble in swallowing and urinating. The symptoms of roundworm infestation include frequent vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, dry or dull hair, bloated stomach and loss of appetite. If the puppies are not de-wormed immediately, the infestation may lead to the puppies’ demise.
De-worming of puppies that are about 3 weeks old is essential since their body resistance is low and this might cause for roundworm infestation. There are medicines that can control roundworms; these are Fendendaole, Pyrantel and Piperazine. However, these medicines can cause serious side effects to puppies. Thus, it is highly recommended to seek the opinion of your veterinarian first before giving your puppy anything. Puppies eventually develop resistance to any infection when they are already 6 months old.
The veterinarian usually does microscopic exam on the puppy’s stool to determine the presence of roundworms. After that, he/she will give the necessary prescription for the puppy. The treatment for roundworms do not kill the parasites, it will just remove the parasite from the puppy’s body by its stool. The treatment for roundworms can last for two months for there are instances that the roundworms’ larvae are still inside the puppy’s intestines.
Homeopathy is one kind of treatment that is considered to be safe. This is done my mixing – to 2 cloves of chopped fresh garlic and grated carrots to the puppies’ meal. Oat barns can also be used instead of grated carrots. Also, wash and disinfect the area where the puppies usually defecate with a mixture of bleach and water.
The treatment for roundworm infestation can be a big job, thus, it is really best to follow proper dog care steps to keep the symptoms at bay. Ensure to check your puppy’s body to see if there are other parasites living off its body. Dispose the puppy’s food immediately if it does not want to eat it. Never leave the food open for a long time and disinfect the surroundings. Deworming your pregnant dog during the latter stages of pregnancy can also help lessen the roundworm infection on its puppies. Keep in mind to deworm your puppy as and when it is needed. Keep your puppies from the places where other dogs do their bowel movements and dispose your puppies’ feces properly. Roundworms and other dog worms can also infect humans, thus, proper dog care and hygiene is vital.
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