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Parasitic Worms and your Pet

There are three types of worm that commonly infect pets.  They can all cause similar symptoms of sickness, diarrhoea, poor growth, poor condition or a cough.

Round worms

Round worms look like spaghetti and are caught by the young from their mothers whilst still in the womb and also from the milk. They can also be caught by eating uncooked meat and dead wildlife. You sometimes see these worms in the faeces, but they are not always there, even if the pet is heavily infected. A pet can be infected with few signs. The dog roundworm can (rarely) infect humans and has caused blindness in children. Regular worming and cleaning up after your dog virtually eliminates this risk. Treatment is once a month for kittens and puppies and then every three months for adult cats and dogs. Pregnant bitches should also be treated. In high risk areas, treatment can be carried out every month.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can be seen as ‘grains of rice’ around your pets anal area, but they may not be present even if your pet is infected. They are caught form eating uncooked meat and dead wildlife, but the most important route of infection is from swallowing FLEAS whilst grooming. Treatment for adults should be at least once every three months, they are rare in puppiess and kittens.

Lungworm

Lungworm can cause the same symptoms as above, but importantly they can also cause bleeding disorders and in rare cases infection can be fatal. They are caught from garden snails and slugs and dead wildlife. Treatment is only available by using a monthly ‘spot-on’ preparation.

Treatment

Treatment is easy and inexpensive. There are a large number of products with different instructions, doses, efficacy, types of worms covered and safety. There are pills, injections, spot-ons, powders and oral liquids. Puppies, kittens, adults, pregnant animals and other pets all need slightly different treatments and the situation your pet is in (hunting, around children, flea infestation etc) may change its risk and thus the treatment too.

ASK US FOR ADVICE ON THE BEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR YOUR PET. IF YOUR PET IS WORMED WITH PRODUCTS FROM THIS PRACTICE WE WILL REMIND YOU WHEN THE NEXT DOSE IS DUE.