Types of worms in dogs and associated symptoms

We quite often ignore worm infestation in dog. Worm is the most formidable cause of verities illness related symptoms, and some time it is very difficult to differentiate between worms related symptoms with other illness symptoms. There are several type of worm that could be found in canine family and here is a short discussion of those.

1.Roundworm

Most common type worm found in dog that results is pot- bellied appearance specially seen among pups. Puppies contaminate them from their mother’s womb or milk. Roundworm infect intestine and dogs get them from roundworm egg, ingesting infected animal or soil. Symptoms associated with infections are vomiting, dull coat, loss of coat, diarrhea and constipation alternatively, weight loss, loss of appetite etc.

2.Tapeworm

Tapeworm is long, tape like, flat in appearance, grows is segments and break off inside intestine and those segments is visible in stool. Associated symptoms are anal itching, vomiting, weight loss etc. Main host is infected fleas and if a dog is not completely free of flea recurring tapeworm infection is unavoidable.

3.Whipworm

Long whip like appearance and not visible in human eyes. They attached on intestinal wall and feed on dog’s blood like hookworm and may cause intestinal bleeding. Prominent symptoms are bloody diarrhea, excessive flatulence, weight loss, lack of vigor.

4.Hookworm

The habitat of hookworm is intestine. It sucks blood and can cause intestinal bleeding as well as bloody stool. Hookworm infestation could results in diarrhea, anemia, pale gum, weight loss.

5.Heartworm

Infect Dog’s heart, lung and can be life threatening. Mosquito bite is the main cause of spreading of heartworm and mostly have been observed in hot weather. The first symptom of infection is mild coughing that gradually worsens associated with breathing trouble and fatigue. This worm gradually destroys the heart wall and cause congestive heart failure. Liver is also other organ that can be affected by this parasite and cause jaundice. One of a successful medicine of this infestation is “ivermectin”.

How to prevent Worm?

In hot and humid condition it is tough to keep a dog stay away from worm. Have a check up of your dog 3-4 times a year by a vet. Try to keep off fleas. Frequent stool examination under microscope. Try to keep you dog off leaking floor/wall and stray animals. In simple word just try to maintain good hygiene.