What you need to know if your dog gets RoundWorms

The canine roundworms are parasites that can be found in the dog’s small intestine, where they feed on bodily fluids and tissue. Their length can get to 6 inches, so they’re as long as a spaghetti string. You can imagine how they could be dangerous to the life of a dog, especially if he’s still a puppy when he gets it. People can also get this parasite from dogs.

There are two main types of roundworms that are found in dogs, in 80% of all roundworm infections. These two species are ascarids and hookworms.

Transmission

Usually, dogs will be infected with roundworms because their mother had them. If a mother has roundworms, her puppies can get them even before they come into this world. The roundworms larvae will also go through mammary glands, so the puppy can also be infected through the mother’s milk.

Symptoms

If they grow in numbers inside, these roundworms can prove dangerous to puppies. The problems aren’t as bad when the dog has reached maturity already. Still, even with a mature dog, problems like pot belly, lethargy or weight loss can still be experienced. Other potential problems for these dogs can be diarrhea or vomiting.

A dog can also have problems with their lungs and respiration, as a result of roundworm infestation. He might also have nasal discharges, difficulties when breathing and coughing. These three usually show up when the roundworms have gotten to the lungs. They might get pneumonia in the end, as a result of the roundworms. In a very bad situation, the intestines might be blocked, so the dog might die.

Diagnosis

Almost all dogs will get roundworms during their life, at some point. Giving them one deworming pill will not solve this problem forever, despite what many people seem to believe.

These roundworms leave eggs, so you or the vet, can try to see if there is infection by examining the stool. More than one of these stools might need to be examined, in order for a conclusion to be reached. Mature worms can sometimes be observed in the stool.

Treatment

The roundworms have a lifecycle that is complete and that makes them tougher and they survive even when we try to kill them completely. Medication should always be used when you find out that your dog has roundworms. Sometimes the medicine acts as an anesthetic, so the worms are passed, while in other cases the medicine will kill the roundworms and cure the dog.