Our puppies are one of our most treasured and most loved creatures in our whole life. We have spent our life, time and even money on taking care of them and giving them all their needs. You are really open to giving him a lot of cuddles, a load of treats, playtime at the park, and many more leisure activities. However, it really saddens us if our puppies, or our little bundle of joy, feel sick. One of the main reasons for our puppies getting sick is worm infestation.
A lot of worm species can infest your puppies and make them sick and uncomfortable. Some dogs may show any untoward behavior due to the presence of worms, but other dogs won’t show any signs that they are infested with the parasite. That is why it is vital for you to be well informed and know how to tell if a puppy has worms so that they could stay healthy and happy as always.
Your puppy’s daily activities and his energetic attitude make them very prone to worm infestation. Being exposed to these parasites will undoubtedly have a negative effect on their health and happiness. Worms that are left untreated can bring several health problems to your puppy like ruptured bowel and nutrition or digestive issues. Some health problems that come with worm infestation can be also harmful and lethal, that is why you need to take worm infestation very seriously for you to maintain your puppy’s perfect health and safety.
What the symptoms if your puppy has worms?
Here are some of the most apparent symptoms you can see if your puppy is infested with worms.
1. Altered appetite
Worms that are present in your puppy’s digestive system can bring a change in their eating cycle. Being hungry all the time doesn’t mean they are experiencing that growth spurt, but it could also mean that the worms are taking over the nutrients that are meant for your puppy. Some puppies also suffer appetite loss because of the extreme stomach ache due to cramped intestinal walls.
2. Weight loss
Rapid weight loss can be also experienced by your puppy as the nourishment meant for them is being sucked by the worms for their own nourishment.
3. Vomiting
If your puppy experiences vomiting, make sure you check if there are any worms present in their vomit for you to rule out worm infestation as the cause of the vomiting. It is essential to check their vomit for worms as we usually disregard it due to the puppy’s natural behavior that when it sees something, he puts it in his mouth and eat it.
4. A Persistent Cough
A few coughs from your dog can be totally normal, but if it becomes regular or too many coughs on a single day, then it is something that you should be wary of. Too much coughing can be a signal that the worms inside your puppy’s digestive system are already in their advanced stages.
5. Loneliness
It is not the only appetite that is lost with worm infestation but also their playful and jolly nature. If you observed that your puppy became lonelier and sluggish, then it may be best to consult with a veterinarian.
6. Diarrhea
Diarrhea on your puppy can mean a serious condition, so it must be taken seriously and take your puppy to a veterinarian. Worm infestation can bring diarrhea to your puppies and their poop has a presence of blood. The blood present on their pooped is caused by the worm bite on the intestinal walls. Internal bleeding and hemorrhage can also be an onset of dog anemia.
7. Presence of worms in poop, worm, and anus
Some kinds of worms, like the tapeworms, can be seen by your eyes. This is the primary way to tell if your dog has worms because of their presence in their poop, fur and anal area.
8. Bloating
Stomachs that are bloated is also a common symptom of worm infestation. Bloating is usually checked on newborn puppies as their mothers can transfer the worms to their offspring.
9. Coat abnormalities
If your dog has an abnormal coat, then you must be alarmed. Signs of worm infestation through coat checking include dryness, bald patches, irritated skin, and allergies, mainly caused by worms.
10. Frequent rubbing of the rear part
If your puppy is always scooting or rubbing their rear parts on a rough surface, then it might be caused by irritation due to worm presence.
If you found one or some of the above symptoms in your puppies or dogs, you should check your dogs with your vet. You could read our articles “What is The Best Dewormer Medicine for Puppies?” to check the best dewormer selling in the market. You also should read this articles to “How to Deworm a Puppy Naturally?“.
How do puppies get worms?
It is not enough to know how to tell if your puppy has worms. If you want to know how to get rid of them, you must first know where it came from.
Due to their very playful and energetic nature, puppies can technically contract worms from whatever activity they are doing. Worms can be seen everywhere, and the curiosity of puppies can increase their risk of being infested. Here are some ways on how your puppies contracted worms.
1. By birth
If their mothers are already infested by worms, then these worms can be transferred when they are still being developed in the womb or via the milk of their mothers.
2. From the soil
There is a presence of worm eggs on the soil. As we all know, puppies like to dig in the soil, and there are chances that infected soil had contact with their mouths, giving worms a way to get inside their bodies.
3. Raw meat
Worms aren’t only present in puppies, but also in other animals, even in humans. That is why only dog food should be fed to your puppies and not any kind of raw meat.
Common Parasitic Worms
- Roundworms – they are only active when a dog becomes pregnant. They can be transferred to the puppies through the placenta or in the milk.
- Hookworms – They are usually found in soil and sand. They suck blood from dogs and puppies and can cause malnutrition and even death.
- Heartworms – they are generally transmitted through mosquito bites. They live inside the heart and can grow up to 14 inches long. It can cause death if not treated as soon as possible.
- Whipworms – they are not as dangerous as heartworms but can be fatal if they multiply in large numbers.
- Tapeworms – can be contracted through flea swallowing. They feed on the intestines and steal the nutrition from what the dog eats.
Puppies have become a part of your family, and they deserve all the care that they need. To lengthen your puppy’s life and prevent them from being worm infested, it is important to have them regularly checked up by a veterinarian. Always remember that prevention is better than cure!
