Roundworms are a type of parasite that lives inside the dog and feeds with the animal’s intestines. They are white or light brown and they are a few inches long. If they are not treated on time, they can even cause death.
Symptoms
Not all the dogs have them, but here is what to look for in order to check if your pet suffers from them or not. The first thing you have to look for is the poop or vomit. I know, it sounds gross and, for some of us, it probably is, but if you notice these little worms inside these liquids, it is time you took your pet to the vet. Other symptoms that you may see are: vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and belly pain and weight loss.
Treatment
Your vet will give your dog the right deworming drugs, effective and safe. He will only give the dog one to three doses at first, which will get rid of the adult worms. Because this is such a common problem in dogs, the vet may deworm even puppies, just to make sure this problem doesn’t last any longer. Even after the treatment ends, you should still take your dog to tests and meet the vet at least once a month.
Causes
We talked about symptoms and treatment, but how do we know where these worms come from? The mother is the answer. If the puppy’s mom had them, it is highly possible that the pups will be infected with roundworms. Even if they don’t get them before they are born, they will certainly get the parasites from the mother’s milk. The environment is another cause. If your dog will eat another small animal that are infected with roundworms, he will certainly have the same problem. And this is how the circle grows. After the pup has swallowed an egg, it will develop and grow even stronger, populating your dog’s belly with tens of small parasites.
Prevention
Deworm your puppy when he is young. This way, you will prevent the development of adult parasites. If your dog is a female, treat her before and after she gives birth. Keep the dishes clean by washing them almost daily. Keep your dog away from other animals and keep an eye on him when you both go out in the nature. If he tries to eat another animal’s poop or he eats a smaller animal that is infested, you will have to do this all over again with drugs and visits to the vet. Talk to the doctor about the possibility of giving your dog drugs often enough to prevent this medical condition.
Risks for you
It has rarely happened, but you still have to prevent it. If you have contact with the dog’s poop, wash your hands immediately and don’t touch anything else before you do this. Keep your kids away from the feces of your dog and tell them not to “visit” the area where your dog usually goes to the toilet.
