Pet Topics

In the UK our dogs are very commonly affected by one particular type of worms in dogs: roundworms. This is because of the fact that their lifecycle is virtually impossible to break entirely. Indeed, the lifecycle more or less guarantees that puppies will either be born with an infestation of pick one up very soon after birth. The prevalence of this type of worms in dogs coupled with the fact that an infestation can cause serious harm to human health mean that treatment is an absolute must.

Roundworms can be caught by unborn puppies in the womb or passed from mother to puppy via milk. Contaminated faeces and soil will also infect a dog. The larvae of this type of worms in dogs have the ability to migrate through the body’s internal organs, are coughed up and swallowed, allowing them access to the digestive system which becomes their home as they mature. The adult worm will then feed on semi digested food from its host’s intestines before releasing eggs which the dog passes with his stools. Also, larvae can migrate to various areas of tissue in the dog’s body where it can lie dormant in cysts. Once the host becomes pregnant, the larvae become activated and infest puppies in the womb. In this state, worming treatment cannot eliminate them. This makes it very hard indeed to stop round worms in dogs.

Puppies suffer the worst symptoms of this infestation: vomiting and diarrhoea are common, as is lethargy and stunted growth. Puppies will very often have a swollen stomach. In sever infestations, puppies may die from intestinal blockage.

There is no available treatment which can kill worm larvae and so puppies need frequent treatment to remove any infection. Also, adult dogs can easily pick up infestations because worm eggs can remain viable for a long time.

Another thing about this type of worms in dogs is that it has strong potential to harm human health. Worm larvae can damage human internal organs, and even lead to blindness. Even more worryingly, children are most vulnerable because they are often likely to put dirty hands in their mouths after touching contaminated soil.