The stool sample is used to screen your dog for intestinal parasites—or worms—in their poop, which is why veterinarians always request one at annual visits.
For various reasons, many pet owners who visit the office believe that their dog cannot possibly contract worms. But regardless of where they live or how much time they spend outside, every dog is susceptible to contracting worms.
The majority of worms are not visible to the naked eye, with the possible exception of tapeworms, so a fecal exam is required. To check for worms, the veterinarian will carry out a special test or examine the sample under a microscope.
The most prevalent parasitic worms that affect dogs are covered in detail in this article, along with information on how to treat and prevent them.
There are several ways a dog can acquire worms. These are going to be described in more detail in the sections for each kind of worm.
Worms are usually transmitted through a fecal-oral route. This means that your pet accidentally ingests parasitic eggs after coming into contact with them when handling fecal material (poop).
How Can Dogs Get Worms?
Dogs can get worms when they ingest eggs or larvae that they find in feces, soil, or even in fleas that they lick on their own fur. The worm larva will then hatch and attach to your dog’s intestinal wall where it can grow into an adult worm (petmd.com).
Another potential route for worm transmission in dogs is from mother to pup. During pregnancy, worms can cross the placenta, and nursing puppies may consume worm larvae.
Certain types of worms are easier to spot than others. For instance, if your dog contracts a tapeworm, it’s typical to notice what looks like rice grains in his stool. Heartworms, on the other hand, are more difficult to detect, and an infected dog frequently exhibits only mild symptoms until the condition has advanced to a more serious stage.
The most typical symptoms of canine worm infestation are listed below.
The 11 Most-Common Symptoms of Worms in Dogs
Coughing is one of the most typical signs that a dog has worms. Coughing can also be a symptom of hookworms, roundworms, and heartworms in addition to being a sign of heartworms.
In contrast to a typical cough, which is strong and infrequent, dogs with heartworms will exhibit a dry and persistent cough. Your dog might cough following exercise if they have heartworms in their early stages. This is because the parasitic heartworms are moving into the lungs and blocking the flow of oxygenated blood.
Similar to heartworms, roundworms in dogs cause coughing as the larvae move to the lungs. Coughing will only be a symptom in dogs with hookworms if the condition is severe.
Consult a veterinarian right away if your dog is coughing more frequently and weakly. Worm infestations in dogs often result in severe cases that can even be fatal.
Vomiting in your dog could be a sign that they have worms. Each type of worm is known to cause vomiting. While dogs with roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms may vomit visible worms, dogs with whipworms may vomit a yellow-green substance. Most of the time, you can see the worms in your dog’s vomit.
But keep in mind that other health conditions, like indigestion, can cause vomiting. If your dog begins vomiting frequently, contact a veterinarian immediately. Vomiting in your dog could indicate another health issue even if they don’t have worms.
Worms may cause soft stools and canine diarrhea. It’s crucial to see a veterinarian right away because persistent diarrhea can cause dehydration.
Dogs with hookworms may also have blood in their stools in addition to diarrhea. As the infection worsens, bloody diarrhea appears, and if untreated, it could lead to chronic bloody diarrhea.
For dogs with worm infections, blood loss is a serious risk. It is especially dangerous for dogs with heartworm. Lethargy, extremely high blood pressure, and possibly heart failure can result from excessive blood loss. Call your veterinarian right away if you notice blood in your dog’s feces.
Dogs who are less energetic and lethargic than usual could have worms. The worms deplete your dog’s energy by stealing his blood and nutrients.
The common parasite hookworm can be fatal to puppies because it causes blood loss. Blood loss can be life-threatening even in adult dogs if it is not treated right away. You should contact a veterinarian right away if your dog is acting weak or lacking in energy.
A pot-bellied or bloated appearance in dogs is another typical sign of worm infestation. The most typical type of worm to cause this symptom is a roundworm.
Puppies with worms from their mother typically have a pot-bellied appearance. This worm transmission occurs either before birth through the placenta or following birth during breastfeeding.
Puppies aren’t the only ones who develop this symptom. Adult dogs may have a pot-bellied appearance as well. No matter your dog’s age, you should see a doctor right away because roundworms can cause obstructions in their intestines.
Your dog may have encountered roundworms if you notice a sudden change in his appetite. Infected dogs frequently experience appetite loss or, in rare instances, a sudden increase in hunger.
Your dog might have increased appetite levels, but he still might lose weight. As with the other signs of canine worm infestation, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as they notice changes in appetite.
Your dog might have tapeworms or whipworms if he exhibits symptoms of rapid weight loss. This is because the parasites in your dog’s stomach are consuming the nutrients. Weight loss can happen even if your dog’s appetite is normal or increased, as was previously mentioned.
However, keep in mind that losing weight could also be a sign of other health problems. Always go to the vet if your dog is losing a lot of weight.
A healthy dog should have a shiny thick coat. Your dog may have worms if his coat starts to become dull and dry out. Worms can also be indicated by a loss of hair or the emergence of rashes.
Your dog may have significant hair loss in addition to a dull coat. In addition to worms, there are other parasites that can result in hair loss, so speak with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action.
Dogs who display symptoms of skin irritation may have a serious worm infestation. Such skin irritations may include a rash. You may even see your dog itching himself more often.
This brings us to the subsequent indication of canine worms, which is rubbing his bottom on the ground.
Dogs with worms will occasionally rub their rear ends on the floor to relieve the itching caused by the presence of worms in the area, despite the fact that problems with the anal glands can frequently be the cause of scooting. Your dog may also lick or bite his bottom to stop the itching that the worms cause.
Some worms, like tapeworms, may manifest as tiny moving segments in your dog’s fur or in the vicinity of his anus. Roundworms can often be seen in a dog’s stools. Most likely, these worms will resemble moving grains of rice or, if they are dry, hard yellow specks.
Change in appetite
Your pet’s appetite may be affected by a worm infestation if your dogs stop eating or begin to overeat. Your dog must have come into contact with the worms if you suddenly notice that his appetite has changed. He may also become suddenly more hungry as a result of the worms consuming the nutrients from his food.
FAQ
What are the symptoms of worms in dogs?
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Weight loss.
- Vomiting.
- Poor coat appearance.
- Pot-bellied appearance.
- Lethargy.
- Dehydration.
What parasite causes dogs to vomit?
Adult roundworms live in the affected dog’s intestines. However, dogs with severe roundworm infections, especially puppies, exhibit diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance. Many dogs do not exhibit symptoms of infection. If the roundworms enter the lungs, the dog may cough.
Do dogs act sick when they have worms?
Keep an eye out for any of these modifications in your dog’s regular health and appearance because worm infestations can occasionally manifest with few to no symptoms: Diarrhea, occasionally containing blood or mucus Vomiting, which can sometimes contain adult worms. Weight loss, particularly if your dog has a good appetite.
How do you treat a dog with worms and vomiting?
Many deworming drugs are safe and effective. They include fenbendazole, milbemycin, moxidectin, piperazine, and pyrantel. Your dog will initially receive one to three doses from your veterinarian, which will kill the adult worms.