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Worms in dogs are a frequent problem for UK pets and their owners. They can cause distressing, ill-health to our dogs and may come back at any time, even after treatment. Across the entire world there are many types of parasites which are grouped under the term ‘worms in dogs’ but in the UK we deal primarily with just two. These are the tapeworm and the roundworm.

Roundworms are most problematic worms in dogs because they are passed from animal to animal and most puppies are even born with an infestation. Roundworms look rather like short lengths of spaghetti. Fully mature worms live in the dog’s intestines and feed off its contents. This results in your dog’s dinner being shared as worms feed on its partially digested food. The amount of worms present depends on whether the infestation is very severe or not, but it is possible that dozens of worms could be present at any one time. Of course, it follows that a dogs which is being forced to share its food with large numbers of parasites will become malnourished. Where infestations are particularly severe, the dog will have a dull coat and appear to be lacking in energy. The dog may also suffer with diarrhoea and vomiting. Puppies with roundworms typically have a swollen abdomen and delayed growth. If a puppy with roundworm is left without treatment he or she could die from intestinal blockage. It is also important to bear in mind that sometimes there will be no symptoms of worms in dogs. Regular worming treatment is therefore very important.

In adult dogs, some worm larvae can migrate around the body, settling in muscles and forming cysts. Even worming treatment cannot eliminate the larvae when it has formed a cyst in a muscle. The larvae can remain inactive in the dog’s body until they reawaken during a time of stress. Typically, they will become active in pregnancy and infect the foetuses. This means it is very important to worm all puppies.

Not only are dogs affected, but worms in dogs can cause problems for people too. Children are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to come into contact with worm eggs in contaminated soil or sand whilst playing. The worm larvae can migrate though the human body and can lead to permanent damage to the eye sight if they settle at the back of the retina. Regular worms in dogs treatment therefore protects the whole family and not just our pets.