Deworming is an essential part of preventative care for lowering parasites (both internal and external) and enhancing your pet’s health. Here are some things to know about those unwanted houseguests your cat or dog might unknowingly be hosting in order to help prevent transmission of parasites to you and your human family members.
1. Deworming should be done more frequently in puppies and kittens, who should have it done every two weeks until they are 3 months old. Even if their mother has been dewormed before giving birth, puppies and kittens typically have parasites passed on to them at birth. After this, in our area, deworming depends on exposure risk. Please discuss this with your vet.
2. It’s not always the case that we can see tiny wiggly worms in our pet’s feces, but just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. When in doubt, a parasite examination of the feces is performed.
4. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, cancer patients, diabetics, and anyone with a suppressed immune system are all at a higher risk than the general population. Many parasites in dogs and cats are “zoonotic,” which means they can spread from animals to humans and cause illness. If there is anyone in your home who might be more vulnerable to exposure, exercise caution and extra care.
5. Is it a myth that parasites cannot survive the harsh winters in Alberta? Some species can survive in temperatures as low as -30°C while the majority cannot. Intestinal roundworms produce 10,000 eggs every day. Even in our harsh northern climate, these eggs can survive and remain infectious for up to 5 years thanks to their thick crust that shields them from the elements. Your pet may still be at risk!.
6. The intestinal protozoa giardia, which causes “beaver fever” in humans, ascarids (roundworms), tapeworms, and other parasites are more prevalent than others in Alberta. Roundworms and tapeworms both are infectious to humans as well.
7. To reduce the risk of infection for your family, your pets, and yourself, there are simple steps to take:
Call us at (780) 439-4353 if you have any questions about deworming or would like to order deworming medication for your pet.
Be aware: You can worm your dog too often
Yes, you can worm a puppy or your dog excessively, and there is no clear advantage. In fact, over-worming your dog can backfire and cause them to develop a tolerance; you definitely don’t want that to happen.
Can I deworm a puppy naturally at home?
No. You require a veterinarian’s assistance to determine whether your puppy actually has worms and to determine what kind of parasite they are. It is impossible to select the ideal medication to deworm your puppy at home without this knowledge.
4. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, cancer patients, diabetics, and anyone with a suppressed immune system are all at a higher risk than the general population. Many parasites in dogs and cats are “zoonotic,” which means they can spread from animals to humans and cause illness. If there is anyone in your home who might be more vulnerable to exposure, exercise caution and extra care.
5. Is it a myth that parasites cannot survive the harsh winters in Alberta? Some species can survive in temperatures as low as -30°C while the majority cannot. Intestinal roundworms produce 10,000 eggs every day. Even in our harsh northern climate, these eggs can survive and remain infectious for up to 5 years thanks to their thick crust that shields them from the elements. Your pet may still be at risk!.
Call us at (780) 439-4353 if you have any questions about deworming or would like to order deworming medication for your pet.
1. Deworming should be done more frequently in puppies and kittens, who should have it done every two weeks until they are 3 months old. Even if their mother has been dewormed before giving birth, puppies and kittens typically have parasites passed on to them at birth. After this, in our area, deworming depends on exposure risk. Please discuss this with your vet.
7. To reduce the risk of infection for your family, your pets, and yourself, there are simple steps to take:
FAQ
How do I know if my puppy needs worming?
If you notice worms in the stool, this is not unusual. Worms or remnants of worms can often be seen in the stool. The most obvious indication that your pet needs to be dewormed is when the worms start to resemble spaghetti or rice. If you notice worms or pieces of worms in your pet’s fur, especially near the tail or the pet’s back, don’t ignore the problem.
Can you deworm a puppy too often?
Yes, you can worm a puppy or your dog excessively, and there is no clear advantage. In fact, over-worming your dog can backfire and cause them to develop a tolerance; you definitely don’t want that to happen.
How often should a puppy be wormed UK?
Treatment and prevention They need to be dewormed for the first time at three weeks old, and then every two weeks until they are 16 weeks old. They will require treatment every one to three months after 16 weeks, or more frequently as recommended by your veterinarian.
How often do you flea and worm a puppy?
We advise having your puppy wormed every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then once per month until they are 6 months old, and then regularly at least every three months to keep them healthy because all puppies and dogs have worms.