Protect your dog from worms with Clarendon Street Vets’ 3-step guide
March 21, 2023
Spring is in the air, and with the warmer, wetter weather, parasites like worms become much more prevalent. With that in mind, we’re encouraging our clients to make sure their dogs are up to date with worming tablets. Not only is this important for your pet and other dogs who walk in the area, it is also important for human health, as contact with infected dog waste can transmit worms to humans, with the potential to cause long term damage. Given the rise in dog ownership in recent years, regular worming is an essential part of responsible dog ownership. Most worming products are given every three months, but younger dogs or those who have had a recent infestation may need worming more often. If you are not sure when treatment is due, or what is the best treatment option for your dog, one of our team can advise you on the best products to keep worms at bay.
Follow our simple worm prevention checklist
Our nurse, Catherine, has highlighted a simple three-step process to help you help your dog avoid worms. She has also put together a reminder, in the form of a simple PDF poster, for you to download, print, share & keep. Follow this simple advice and you’ll stand a very good chance of avoiding any wriggly parasites this spring.
1. Prevent – Make sure you worm your dog regularly
This is the most effective way to protect your pet, but you must use medication that is appropriate for your dog. Never share wormers between dogs as they are pet specific.
2. Check – Know the signs of worms and check your dog regularly
Download our PDF to get all the details. Catherine has also added a few pointers at the end of this article.
3. Avoid – Avoid common ways that worms are contracted
Things like dog faeces, fleas, and dead host animals can all carry parasitic worms. Help your dog avoid these and you’ll minimise the chances of them contracting a worm infestation.
Download our detailed checklist
Now download the infographic, it’s got all the detail you need in an easy-to-understand format. Please feel free to either share it with other dog owners, we’re very happy for you to post this on your preferred social media channel. Or just print it out and pin it up somewhere until spring is over.
Download our worm prevention PDF
Know the signs of worms and act early
The main types of worms that we see, and their symptoms are listed below.
- Tapeworms: You may notice individual segments of these flat worms that look like grains of rice in your dog’s faeces or on their anus, ‘scooting’ their bottom on the ground, and weight loss.
- Hookworms: Pale gums, anaemia, weight loss, weakness, bloody diarrhoea, itchy paws, poor growth – can be fatal.
- Roundworms: Rice or spaghetti-like worms in faeces, vomiting, diarrhoea, swollen and painful belly, weakness, dull coat, and weight loss.
- Whipworms: Diarrhoea, bloody stools, anaemia, and weight loss.
- Lungworm: Weight loss, difficulty breathing, coughing (with blood), lethargy, unexplained bruising and bleeding, seizures, collapse, shock, blindness – can be fatal.
If you see or suspect your pet has any of these, we suggest you call us for advice and to book an appointment.