There are five types of worms that generally affect dogs:

• heartworms
• roundworms
• hookworms
• tapeworms
• whipworms

How Can Dogs Get Worms?

Dogs can get worms when they ingest eggs or larvae that they find in feces, soil, or even in fleas that they lick on their own fur. The worm larva will then hatch and attach to your dog’s intestinal wall where it can grow into an adult worm (petmd.com).

The other way a dog might get worms is transmission from mother to pup. Worms can migrate across the placenta during pregnancy or larvae can be ingested by puppies when nursing.

Certain types of worms are easier to spot than others. For example, if your dog picks up a tapeworm, it’s common to see what resembles grains of rice in his stool. Heartworms, on the other hand, are harder to diagnose, and an infected dog will often show only subtle symptoms until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage.

Below, we’ve put together a list of the most common signs of worm infestation in dogs.

The 11 Most-Common Symptoms of Worms in Dogs

1. Coughing

One of the most common symptoms of worms in dogs is coughing. Coughing is often a sign of heartworms but can also be a symptom of hookworms and roundworms.

Dogs with heartworms will have a dry and persistent cough, unlike a normal cough that is strong and infrequent. During the early stage of heartworms, your dog may cough after exercising. This is because the heartworm parasites are migrating into the lungs, thus creating a blockage of oxygenated blood.

Similar to heartworms, dogs with roundworms will begin coughing as the roundworm larvae migrate to the lungs. As for dogs with hookworms, coughing will be a symptom only if the case is severe.

If your dog is coughing more frequently and weakly, it’s important to consult a vet immediately. Many cases of worms in dogs can be very serious and sometimes even fatal.

2. Vomiting

If your dog is vomiting, it may be a symptom of worms. Each type of worm is known to cause vomiting. Dogs with whipworms may vomit a yellow-green substance while dogs with roundworms, hookworms or tapeworms may vomit visible worms. In most cases, you’ll be able to see the worms in your dog’s vomit.

Keep in mind, however, that vomiting can be triggered by other health issues such as indigestion. If your dog begins vomiting frequently, contact a veterinarian immediately. Even if your dog doesn’t have worms, vomiting may be a sign of another health problem.

3. Diarrhea

Soft stools and canine diarrhea can be the result of worms. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which is why it’s very important to visit a vet immediately.

In addition to diarrhea, dogs with hookworms may have blood in their stools. Bloody diarrhea develops as the infection worsens and may cause chronic bloody diarrhea if left untreated.

Blood loss is a serious risk for dogs infected with worms. It is especially dangerous for dogs with heartworm. Too much blood loss can result in lethargy, extremely high blood pressure and possibly heart failure. If you notice blood in your dog’s stool, contact your vet immediately.

4. Low energy

Dogs that are lethargic and less active than normal may be showing symptoms of worms. The worms cause this lack of energy by taking blood and nutrients from your dog.

The hookworm is a common parasite that is dangerous enough to kill puppies due to the loss of blood. Even in adult dogs, blood loss can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. If your dog is low on energy or acting weak, you should promptly consult a vet.

5. Pot-bellied appearance

Another common symptom of worms in dogs is a pot-bellied or bloated appearance. Roundworms is the most common type of worm to cause this symptom.

A pot-bellied appearance is usually seen in puppies who have picked up worms from their mother. This transmission of worms happens either prior to birth through the placenta or after birth during nursing.

Puppies aren’t the only ones who develop this symptom. Adult dogs may have a pot-bellied appearance as well. Regardless of your dog’s age, you should visit a vet immediately, as roundworms can create blockages in your dog’s intestines.

6. Change in appetite

If you notice a sudden change in your dog’s appetite, he may have come into contact with roundworms. Dogs that are infected often lose their appetite or, in some cases, have a sudden increase in hunger.

Even though your dog may have increased appetite levels, he may still lose weight. As with the other symptoms of worm infestation in dogs, you should visit a veterinarian as soon as your dog shows changes in appetite.

7. Weight loss

If your dog shows signs of rapid weight loss, he may have a tapeworm or whipworm. This is due to the parasites feeding on the nutrients in your dog’s stomach. As previously mentioned, weight loss can occur even if your dog’s appetite is normal or increased.

Keep in mind, however, that weight loss may also be a sign of other health issues. Always consult a vet if your dog is experiencing drastic weight loss.

8. Dull coat

A healthy dog should have a shiny thick coat. If your dog’s coat begins to dull and dry out, he may have picked up a form of worms. Loss of hair or the appearance of rashes can also denote worms.

In addition to a dull coat, your dog may experience significant hair loss. There are many types of parasites besides worms that can cause hair loss, so consult your vet to find the right treatment.

9. Itching and signs of skin irritations

Dogs that show signs of skin irritation may have a severe infestation of worms. Such skin irritations may include a rash. You may even see your dog itching himself more often.

This leads us to the next symptom of worms in dogs, which is rubbing his bottom on the floor.

10. Rubbing its bottom on the ground or “scooting”

Although scooting can often be caused by problems with the anal glands, dogs with worms will occasionally rub their rear ends on the floor in order to relieve themselves of the itch due to worms in the area. Additionally, your dog may bite or lick his bottom to relieve the itching that the worms cause.

11. Visible worms in fur or fecal matter

Some worms, such as tapeworms, may appear as small moving segments in the fur or area around your dog’s anus. Roundworms can often be seen in a dog’s stools. These worms most likely will look like moving pieces of rice or, if they are dry, they’ll look like hard yellow specks.

Treatment of Worms in Dogs

If left untreated, worms can damage your dog’s internal organs and lead to loss of consciousness and death. If you suspect that your dog has worms, take it to your nearest veterinary office.

Most intestinal worms are easy to treat and your veterinarian will prescribe a medication based on the diagnosis. Treating heartworm disease, however, can be expensive and may require injections that cost between $500 – $1,500 (petmd.com).

Was your dog ever diagnosed with heartworms? How did you treat it? Tell us in the comments.

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But I also want to protect dogs from disease, and there’s one killer lurking out there that is silent and invisible. If there are mosquitos in your area (and that’s very likely), then your dog is at risk. I’m going to share with you what you need to know about heartworm disease.

About Heartworms

While it’s most common on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states. Heartworms are a parasite that spends part of its life cycle in a mosquito. One bite from an infected mosquito can transmit that parasite to your dog, where it develops further. Eventually, it grows into worms that can be up to a foot long, and which will infest your dog’s organs, particularly the heart and lungs.

Luckily, dogs and cats cannot infect each other or humans with heartworm, and they cannot get it by sniffing the feces of infected dogs or being around them in the dog park. The mosquito is the only method of transmission, which is why mosquito abatement programs are so important, and why you should never have standing, stagnant water around your property.

From the time of infection, it can be up to six months before your dog shows symptoms. This is why annual testing is so important. Untreated, the condition is fatal. However, while it can be treated, if done in the later stages the process can be very expensive and the follow-up can be difficult. Although I always tell people that dogs need exercise, discipline, and affection, if your dog tests positive for heartworm, then their exercise needs to be restricted until after treatment has been completed, which can take months. During this time, too much physical activity can be deadly.

Heartworms Can Return

Even after successful treatment, a dog can be infected again. Heartworm isn’t like measles, where once you’ve had it you can never get it again. Protection against it is a lifelong need.

To avoid infection, it’s important to have your dogs tested regularly, as well as to prevent the disease in the first place with a medication recommended by your vet. When your dog is taking the proper preventative, any heartworm larva transmitted to them by mosquitos will never develop to the next stage, and never become a threat to your dog’s health or life.

Continue Treatment All Year Long

There are rumors that you don’t have to give your dog treatment all year-round if you live where it gets cold, but this is no guarantee. While the larva will not survive in mosquitos if the temperature goes below 57° F (14° C), the mosquito only needs to bite another infected dog to start the cycle all over again. Missing a single dose of heartworm preventative or giving it late can make your dog vulnerable to infection, so it’s not worth the risk.

If you love dogs as I do — and I know you love your dogs — the simple step of taking preventative measures now can ensure that you’ll avoid this potentially fatal, difficult-to-treat disease. So talk to your vet for his or her recommendations. Remember: a Pack Leader’s job is to provide direction and protection. This is just another way to make sure that your dogs are protected, safe, and happy.

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By Cesar Millan

When we adopt a dog we make a promise, which is a commitment to provide for their needs for the rest of their lives. This doesn’t just mean feeding them and walking them, though.

If a dog has behavioral issues, it is our responsibility to figure out what’s causing them and to solve the problem. Returning a misbehaving dog to a shelter is not an option. And if a dog has health issues, we are also responsible for doing what is necessary to take care of them.

But providing for a dog’s health doesn’t just mean going to the vet when the dog is sick. We need to provide preventative care as well, which includes not only regular check-ups, but also taking steps to make sure our dogs do not fall victim to two of the most common dangers out there: fleas and ticks.

Why are Such Tiny Things so Dangerous? Let’s Find Out.

Fleas

Fleas have been around longer than humans or dogs and survived when many other species became extinct. In the modern day, some fleas only live on one specific type of animal. Others are happy on many kinds of animals, including birds and mammals. And, of course, mammals includes humans, dogs, and cats, among many other species.

A single pregnant flea can produce up to four thousand eggs at a time, which take about three weeks to mature to adulthood. Untreated, one pregnant flea can lead to billions of descendants in just a few weeks.

Because fleas drink blood, they also spread disease, not only between animals of the same species, but between species. This includes viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It also includes the bubonic plague, making fleas one of the biggest killers of humans ever. The infamous Black Death during the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries in Europe killed two hundred million people.

In dogs, fleas can transmit tapeworm, cause uncomfortable but non-threatening conditions like skin irritation, or induce fatal levels of anemia.

Ticks

Ticks are equally as ancient as fleas, and also dine on the blood of their hosts. Their life cycles are much longer than fleas and they do not reproduce in the same numbers or as quickly, but many species of ticks must have a blood meal before they can move on to the next stage of their development.

Like fleas, ticks also spread disease, and can infect a host with multiple diseases at the same time. These include things like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but ticks can also cause blood clotting through transmission of bacteria, as well as an allergic reaction to red meat, which is particularly dangerous to carnivores, like dogs and humans.

Unlike fleas, a tick’s eggs can be infected while they’re still inside the mother, so a tick can be born infectious — and there are a lot of diseases that ticks can give to your dog, several of which can be fatal.

Prevention is the Best Cure

In another article, we explain how to keep your home free of fleas and ticks, but your dogs still have to go outside to walk, and outside is full of these pests as well. That’s why it’s important to use a topical flea treatment that eliminates the problem on your dog.

Talk to your veterinarian about a topical anti-flea and tick product, which not only kills adult fleas and ticks, but destroys the eggs and larva as well. Remember that 4,000 egg number? This is why only killing the adults, like shampoos do, is ineffective. Shampoos rinse off, but topical treatments last for thirty days, which is slightly longer than the entire egg to adult cycle.

Killing ticks outright is also much more effective than trying to remove them yourself. If not done properly, you can wind up leaving a tick’s head stuck in your dog’s skin, which can lead to further complications.

Ticks are also notoriously difficult to crush, so even if you do manage to pull one out alive, there’s a good chance it can escape and hide, meaning it can latch onto your dog (or you) when it’s feeding time again. And remember: ticks have to eat before they can move on to the next stage in their life cycle, so it’s not a matter of if, but when.

As summer begins, so does the prime flea and tick season, although they can be a danger year-round in warmer, humid climates. They are also a nearly invisible danger. So you owe it to your dogs, and to yourself, to take every precaution possible to keep that promise and provide for their needs, now and for the rest of their lives.

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Few things in life are as exciting or rewarding as welcoming a new puppy into the family. They’re adorable, they’re loving, they’re funny – and they’re also counting on you to help protect them from parasites and diseases. Here’s a quick look at common and preventable parasites and diseases and how you can start heartworm prevention.

Heartworm Disease Transmission 

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos, and the worms live in the heart and lungs of the dog. Clinical signs seen in dogs include cough, difficulty breathing, weight loss, exercise intolerance, and eventually heart failure and death. Unlike intestinal parasites, which can be easily treated, treatment for heartworm disease is expensive – up to $1,000 in veterinary bills² – time-consuming and has significant side effects. Fortunately, highly effective preventives are available for this devastating disease. The American Heartworm Society recommends using a heartworm preventive year-round to protect your dog.  Ask your veterinarian about this and how you can make sure you are working on heartworm prevention correctly.

Worms: Worth Worrying About

Intestinal parasites, including roundworms and hookworms, can cause serious problems in puppies. Roundworms are commonly diagnosed in puppies and may infect 90% of puppies under three months of age.⁶ Intestinal parasites cause more severe disease in young puppies. Clinical signs include failure to gain weight, poor hair and coat, and vomiting. Some puppies may even die from roundworm infection. Hookworms are another intestinal parasite commonly seen in puppies. Infected puppies may develop diarrhea, anemia due to blood loss, and fail to gain weight. Hookworm infection can also result in death. Ask your veterinarian about proper deworming protocols for puppies. You can reduce the risk of exposure to these intestinal parasites by avoiding potentially contaminated environments and promptly removing feces from the yard or other public areas. Ask your veterinarian about placing your dog on a heartworm preventive that is labeled for the treatment and control of roundworms and hookworms.

• 1. www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=48#epidemiology. Slide 5. Accessed May 31, 2019.
• 2. Vital statistics for your veterinary practice. In: Landeck E, ed. The Veterinary FeeReference. 6th ed. Lakewood, CO:AAHA Press, 2009;57, 58, 200, 213, 226, 265, 333.
• 4. www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/canine-guidelines.html. Accessed May 31, 2019.
• 5. CAPC Recommendations. http://www.capcvet.org/recommendations/ascarids.html.Accessed May 31, 2019.)
• 6. Schantz PM. Zoonotic ascarids and hookworms: the role for veterinarians inpreventing human disease. In: Emerging Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Disease,The Compendium Suppl 2002;24(1):47-52.

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How Heartworms Are Spread

All dogs are at risk for potentially deadly heartworm disease. Heartworms live in the heart and blood vessels of the lungs of dogs, cats and other mammals like wolves, foxes and coyotes. Heartworms cannot be spread directly from animal to animal without a mosquito as an intermediary. Heartworms are spread when a mosquito bites an infected dog and picks up tiny larvae called microfilariae from the dog’s bloodstream. Then that mosquito bites another dog infecting it with the heartworm larvae.

Over the next several months the heartworm larvae grow and migrate to the heart and lungs. These larvae mature into adults, which can be a foot in length, and they produce microfilariae that circulate in the bloodstream. Now this dog is a reservoir of heartworms and is ready for another mosquito to bite and infect yet another dog.

Untreated, heartworm disease can lead to severe problems with the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys and may result in death.

One mosquito bite is all it takes for your dog to get heartworm disease.

Heartworm Life Cycle

1. A mosquito bites an infected dog and ingests tiny heartworm larvae along with the animal’s blood. Other carriers of heartworm disease include wolves, foxes, ferrets, coyotes and raccoons.

2. Inside the mosquito, these larvae develop into their infective stage.

3. When the same mosquito bites another dog, the larvae infect the healthy animal.

4. Without a monthly dose of preventive, the larvae continue to develop inside the dog, eventually reaching the heart and lungs.

One million dogs are estimated to be heartworm positive in the United States each year.¹

Luckily heartworms in dogs are preventable and heartworm prevention is cheap and easy when compared to the lengthy, stressful and expensive treatment. Treatment can cost up to $1,000 which makes giving a monthly preventive a bargain in comparison. Treatment requires painful, arsenic-based injections to kill the heartworms present inside the lungs and heart. In addition, this is followed by a one- to three- month period of limited physical activity and possible health complications. Surgery may be required for dogs burdened with large amounts of worms. It is much easier to prevent heartworms than to treat them.

3 Common Misconceptions About Heartworms in Dogs

• MYTH 1: Indoor dogs are not at risk
• FACT: Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. One mosquito bite is all it takes for a dog to be infected. All dogs are at risk.
• MYTH 2: Only dogs in heartworm epidemic areas like southeastern states need protection against heartworms
• FACT: Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states. One million dogs are estimated to be heartworm positive in the United States each year.¹ The disease continues to spread to new regions. The best way to protect your dog is to administer a heartworm preventive year-round as directed by your veterinarian.
• MYTH 3: Treatment for heartworm disease is just as easy as preventing it.
• FACT: Treatment requires arsenic-based injections to kill the heartworms living in a dog’s lungs and heart. In comparison to heartworm prevention, the treatment is expensive (up to $1,000) and can be traumatic and risky. It is much easier to prevent heartworms than to treat them.

1. Line S. Vet’s advice: Beware the rising risk of heartworms in dogs. Available at http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2009-08-19-heartworms_N.htm

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Roundworm basics

Roundworms are commonly diagnosed in puppies,³and may infect 90% of puppies under three months of age.⁴ However, infection can occur in dogs of all ages. In a study roundworm eggs were found in 15% of all dogs.⁵

Roundworm infection in dogs

Once inside a dog’s body, ingested roundworm eggs hatch and the larvae then migrate to the intestine and become adults. There, they feed, depriving the dog of vital nutrients and, in some cases, block the intestine entirely. Female roundworms can lay more than 100,000 eggs per day.⁶ Clinical signs can include diarrhea, weight loss and swollen abdomens. Left untreated, roundworms pose a serious health risk, especially for young dogs and puppies.

Roundworm infection in humans

The incidence of human infection with zoonotic intestinal parasites is significant. According to a 2008 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, overall roundworm prevalence in humans is 13.9% in the United States.⁷ Roundworm infection can cause morbidity in humans, however many roundworm infections remain asymptomatic and therefore remain underdiagnosed and underappreciated.⁷ Once inside a human, roundworms may migrate to areas of the body other than the intestine. This may make the disease more severe depending on the migration path and destination of the roundworms. When they migrate to the eye, they can impair vision or cause permanent blindness. These “wandering roundworms” can also damage the liver, heart and lungs in humans.

Hookworm basics

Hookworms are dangerous intestinal parasites that infect dogs. All areas of the United States have dogs infected with hookworms.⁵ In a nationwide study, hookworm eggs were found in 19.2% of all dogs. Prevalence varies from region to region.⁵

Hookworm infection in dogs

Hookworms present a severe health risk because of their unique feeding habit. They repeatedly remove a small amount of the intestinal lining, leaving bloody holes in their wake. This grazing results in blood loss and inflammation. Severe infection may lead to anemia, debilitation and even death.¹ Young puppies are especially susceptible.

Hookworm infection in humans

Hookworms are unique in their ability to penetrate human skin. When people come into contact with contaminated soil, infective larvae can pass through a person’s skin and begin a prolonged migration under the skin, causing a painful, itchy rash. Some species of hookworms can penetrate deeper tissues. In rare cases, hookworm larvae may migrate to the intestine, causing an inflammatory response.⁸

Preventing worms

As the saying goes, “Prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Talk to your vet about intestinal parasites. He or she will recommend diagnosis and treatment appropriate to your dog.

1. Guidelines for Veterinarians: Prevention of Zoonotic Transmission of Ascarids and Hookworms of Dogs and Cats. Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in cooperation with the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists. Document available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/roundworm/roundworm.htm. Accessed November 8, 2010.

2. Thomblison P. Pets, worms and little people. Contemporary Pediatrics. September 2003.

3. CAPC Recommendations. http://www.capcvet.org/recommendations/ascarids.html. Accessed October 13, 2010.
4. Schantz PM. Zoonotic ascarids and hookworms: the role for veterinarians in preventing human disease. In: Emerging vector-Borne and Zoonotic Disease, The Compendium Suppl 2002;24(1):47-52
5. Blagburn BL, Lindsay DS, Vaughan JL, et al. Prevalence of canine parasites based on fecal flotation. Comp Cont Ed 1996;18(5):483-509.
6. Lloyd S, Toxocarosis In: Palmer SR, Soulsby EJL, Simpson DIH, eds. Zoonosis. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998;842.
7. Won KY, Kruszon-Moran D, Schantz PM and Jones JL. National Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Zoonotic Toxocara spp. Infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2008; 79(4):552-557.
8. Prociv P. Zoonotic Hookworm Infections. In: Palmer SR, Soulsby EJL, Simpson DIH, eds. Zoonoses. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1998:805.

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Heartworms are among the most dangerous parasitic worms that can infect dogs. Hundreds of thousands of cases of canine heartworm disease are reported in the US every year. The disease is passed from infected dogs to other dogs by mosquitoes. That means all dogs are at risk for heartworm disease.

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease in dogs (dirofilariasis) is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Heartworms spend their adult lives in the right side of the heart and the large blood vessels that connect the heart to the lungs. The adult worms block the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs, liver, and kidneys.

How do dogs get heartworms?

The disease is spread when a mosquito, previously infected by biting an infected (“reservoir”) dog, bites a dog and deposits tiny immature heartworms, called microfilariae, near the bite wound. They enter the wound, become larvae and migrate beneath the skin, eventually reaching the heart and lungs. These unwelcome intruders can eventuallygrow up to 12 inches in length.

Where are dogs at risk for heartworm infection?

All dogs are at risk for heartworm disease, no matter where they live – heartworms don’t discriminate based on geography. In the past, heartworm disease in the United States was primarily limited to the south and southeast regions. However, it is now found in all 50 states, in Canada, and worldwide, and is spreading to new areas each year¹. The American Heartworm Society notes that uncared-for dogs and certain wildlife can be carriers of heartworms. Mosquitoes blown great distances by the wind and the transportation of infected pets to different geographic locations can all contribute to the spread of heartworm disease².

What are the signs of heartworm infection?

Signs of heartworm disease can be subtle and difficult to detect until its later stages. An infected dog may cough or wheeze occasionally, and may seem unusually tired and unwilling to play, but these early signs of heartworm disease can easily be missed, and may be mistaken for something else. The only way to tell if your dog has been infected is to have a veterinarian administer a heartworm test.

As the disease progresses, signs begin to appear. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice coughing, difficulty breathing, sluggishness and less energy for exercise in your dog. Adult heartworms cause serious harm to your dog’s heart, lungs and certain internal organs. Left untreated, heartworm disease can result in loss of consciousness and death.

How are dogs tested for heartworm infection?

The most common method for heartworm testing is for a veterinarian to collect a small blood sample from a dog and evaluate the sample using a specialized test kit that identifies the heartworm antigen. Or, your veterinarian may use other types of tests that detect the presence of microscopic microfilariae, an early stage in the heartworm life cycle.

How can heartworm disease in dogs be prevented?

There are a number of heartworm preventive products on the market.  Talk with your veterinarian to decide on the product that best suits your dog.

Can heartworm disease be treated?

Although it is possible to treat heartworm disease if a dog becomes infected, it is difficult, expensive and risky, particularly in dogs that have begun to exhibit clinical signs of infection.

What if my dog becomes infected with heartworms?

There are treatment options available to eliminate adult heartworms in dogs that have become infected. Treating dogs with heartworm disease starts with a thorough physical examination by the veterinarian. The veterinarian will then discuss treatment options with you. Typically, the dog is hospitalized during the treatment period. Because there is a risk of blood clots or worm debris blocking blood vessels from adult heartworm treatment, the dog must then remain quiet in close confinement for another four to six weeks after treatment. A second round of treatment may be required for some dogs. The veterinarian may also give your dog a treatment to rid it of the immature larvae that are circulating through the blood stream.

Can my dog “get” heartworm disease directly from an infected dog?

No, the way dogs become infected is via a bite from a mosquito that is carrying heartworm larvae.

REFERENCES

1. http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article_1143.html
2. http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article_1140.html#q6

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