The idea of worms in your pet is not a good one. Just the thought of something creeping and crawling around inside your pet’s body is uncomfortable. Worms can also create serious health problems if left untreated. Understanding the common signs, in addition to a prevention and treatment plan is a great way to keep these nasty parasites away from your pet.
What are worms and how do pets get them?
Worms are small parasites and are relatively common in pets. For dogs and cats, they fall into two areas; intestinal worms and heartworms.
Intestinal worms live in your pet’s intestines and feed on blood or intestinal contents. Common types for dogs and cats include hookworms, roundworms, whipworm and tapeworm. Pets generally pick up intestinal worms by eating parasite eggs or spores in contaminated soil, water, faeces or food. Certain types of intestinal worms can also be passed from a mother to her young during pregnancy and lactation. Finally, your pet can get tapeworm by swallowing infected fleas, which is common whilst biting, licking or grooming themselves.
Heartworms are transmitted to your pet via infected mosquitos. An infected mosquito injects a larval stage of the worm under your pet’s skin. The larvae migrate through the pet’s tissues and circulatory system, eventually reaching the heart and lungs where adult worms grow and reproduce.
Unlike other worms, heartworms travel in the bloodstream and live in the heart and surrounding blood vessels for up to 7 years, growing up to 27cm in length.
Signs your pet has worms
Worms can affect pets in different ways. Some show minimal signs so you may need to pay special attention to your pet to detect the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Weight loss
Lethargy
Coughing
Unhealthy appearance
Bloated belly
Excessive scooting or chewing their bottom
Rice or spaghetti like worms in faeces or vomit
If you suspect your pet has worms, please make an appointment with us on 03 8784 4444.
Prevention and treatment
Intestinal worms are usually diagnosed via microscopic examination of a faecal sample. If your pet has intestinal worms, they can be easily treated with a prescribed medication.
While all worms are dangerous to your pet’s health, heartworms are particularly troublesome. Your vet can determine if you pet has heartworms via a series of tests such as a urine test, blood test and chest x-rays. If your vet determines that your pet has heartworms a regular series of heartworm treatments will be required. This can include medication, injections and hospitalisation.
Prevention is always the best medicine and the good news is that there are a number of worming and parasite treatments available such as tablets and chews, topical medications, annual injections, shampoos and sprays. Our vets can help you determine the most suitable products and program to protect your pet from worms and other parasites.
Can I get worms from my pet?
Some intestinal worms that your pet carries can be transmitted to family members and cause serious illnesses in children or the elderly. This can be as simple as your pet licking your face or walking barefoot where they have been to the toilet. Always practice good hygiene by washing your hands after interacting with your pets and avoid being kissed, licked or sharing food with your pet. Cleaning up after your pet’s waste and wearing shoes outdoors can also decrease your chance of exposure.
If you suspect your pet has worms or would like more information about a parasite prevention program for your pet, please call us on 03 8784 4444.