How Dogs Get Roundworms
Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2008
by Natalie Williams
If you have a dog, one thing you need to be familiar with are roundworms. Surely you may be wondering what roundworms are and why they can be such a negative thing for your dog. Basically, roundworms are small worms that have a body that is rounded. Generally, they are somewhere between 3-5 inches in length and they live in the intestines of a dog, consuming food that has been partially processed. While they don't stick to the intestine, they do swim around in the food and the eggs are passed into the waste of the dog.
There are a couple of different factors that can contribute to a dog getting roundworms. First of all, puppies who have mothers with roundworms can get roundworms from their mother. Even if the mother didn't even test positive for the worms, if they have ever had them they can still pass them on to their puppies. Roundworms can also be passed to puppies through the milk of their mother as well.
Any dog can get struck down with roundworms if they happen to swallow any roundworm eggs. Once they eat the eggs, the worms hatch in their bodies and eventually make their way to the intestines of the dog. There are other animals that can have these roundworms and pass them on to dogs, including cockroaches, rodents, chickens and earthworms.
Treating Roundworms
Fortunately, it is relatively simple to get rid of roundworms in dogs. There are a couple of great drugs that are available that can be used to help eradicate the roundworms, and they are usually effective and safe for your dog. Most of the drugs work by crippling the worms so they can be passed out of the dog in their waste. Most of the time, it will take at least two or three doses to completely get rid of the roundworms and it is recommended to conduct these treatments with a few weeks in between them. However, you need to take note that these drugs are not going to eradicate any of the eggs or any undeveloped forms of roundworms either.
Preventing Roundworms
While treating roundworms is possible, it is recommended to prevent your dog from getting roundworms. Your dog can avoid getting roundworms by following these tips:
– Ensure that mothers are dewormed later in their pregnancy so that the worms are not transferred to their puppies.
– When your puppies are 2-3 weeks old you should deworm them, and from then on they should be dewormed on a regular basis.
– Anytime that you discover any type of worm problem, be sure that you immediately treat the problem.
- Always get rid of any dog poop, whether they are in your yard, at a park, or in a playground, to prevent roundworms from moving from one dog to another.
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Natalie is the author of WormsInMyPet.com. Visit her web site for more free advice on eliminating worms and preventing worms in your dog.
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