Dogs and Worms

How can you tell if your dog has worms?  

Worms are not always easy to spot. It has been found that many dog owners notice that their dogs suffer from worm infestation when they vomit or defecate. Worms live in the intestines of dogs and feel very comfortable there. They get cramped if they live outdoors. That would lead to their death. If there is not enough space in the intestine of the dog (if the dog is full of worms), they are flushed out.

However, there may be indications that your dog has been infested with worms. You can speak of active and passive symptoms. Diarrhea, constipation, cough, discharge from the nose and vomiting can be caused by worms. Weight and blood loss may indicate worm infestation, too. Some dogs lose their appetite, while others develop a shaggy, dull fur.

You can find out whether your dog is infested with worms or not when it undergoes the fecal examination in the veterinary practice. The feces of the dog are collected for three consecutive days as worm eggs are not excreted in every stool. In most practices, a special tube and a small spoon are used for this. Collect half a tube every day.

Fecal examination or deworming - Which is better?

There is no objective answer to this question. But let's compare the two solutions. Your dog will not be dewormed if no worm eggs are found in the feces. Otherwise, it will be. However, your dog may be infected with worms even if no worm eggs are found in the feces. The explanation is that worms have a developmental period during which they cannot be excreted. Therefore, it is quite conceivable that your dog presents worm eggs in the feces just after a "negative" test.

It is very important to remember that deworming does not harm your dog although there are many people how believe that. If you choose fecal examination, make sure that you do not do it more often that you would have the deworming done by the vet. This applies to all kinds of infestation.natural flea treatments are no exception, for instance.

Does worm infestation weaken the immune system of the dog?

You cannot underestimate the health impact of worm infestation! Worm infestation may even produce changes in the blood count. The immune system is constantly busy to defend itself against the worms. It should also fight against other diseases, but it no longer has enough power to do so. So if you are wondering whether the immune system is weakened by worm infestation, the answer is Yes.

Why should your dog be dewormed a week before vaccination?

If the dog has worms, the immune system fights against these invaders. This fight should be over before the vaccination to ensure optimal absorption of the vaccine. The same goes for dog fleas and other parasites.