Unfortunately, dogs can develop worms quite early in life. Here are the top ten ways to prevent them in your dog.
1. One of the major causes of tapeworms is attributed to fleas and lice. Brush your dog regularly with a flea comb and keep a watchful eye for any odd behavior exhibited by your dog. Dogs that ingest fleas, for example, can develop tapeworms. Thus, it is necessary to determine whether or not your home or yard is infested with these parasites, which will require using a variety of methods to rid them from your home.
2. Feces are another contributing factor in developing worms. Make sure that all feces are picked up either in the back yard or, in the case of puppies, immediately after they eliminate in your home.
3. Do not give your dog raw meat. When preparing his meals, make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked.
4. Most worms are transmitted through the digestion of feces. Dogs like to smell other dogs’ feces. When talking your dog for a walk, pull him aside if you find that he is sniffing or attempting to digest the feces. So too, removing your dog’s feces, either in the home or backyard, is essential in preventing worms.
5. If you bring home, a new puppy, make an appointment with the vet as soon as possible so that vaccinations to prevent worms can be administered.
6. When taking your dog for walks, try to avoid wooded areas where fleas and ticks reside. When bathing your dog, examine the undercoat thoroughly to ascertain if there are any bumps, lumps or scars that are indicative of parasite infestation.
7. Certain breeds of dogs are likely to eat dead animals. (try to prevent this) This can cause the worms to infiltrate your dog’s intestines.
8. Tapeworms can be easily spotted in the dog’s stool. They are white in color and look like rice and can sometimes be detected in the area of your dog’s rectum. Take your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.
9. If you detect that something is wrong with your dog, vets advise you to bring a sample of their stool so they can determine if the dog has been exposed to worms.
10. Your vet may also recommend heartworm prevention in the form of monthly treatments.There are easy to use chewable products available.
What type of worms should you be aware of, that could harm dogs? Heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. If you notice that your dog is showing signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or has lost his appetite, this could be the result of some form of worm condition.
Worms can cause serious conditions in dogs. While parasites such as fleas, ticks, and other internal parasites can wreak a heavy toll on your pet, ensuring his safety requires constant observation and treatment.
