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At what age do I worm my puppy?

Puppies 4 to 12 weeks of age should be wormed every two weeks.

From age 12 weeks to 6 months puppies should be wormed monthly

From 6 months onward dogs and puppies should be wormed every 3 months.

What are some of the symptoms that my dog or puppy has intestinal worms?

• Loss of appetite

• The dog's coat is in poor condition

• The dog has a pot belly appearance - especially in puppies

• The dog or puppy suffers weight loss

• Diarrhea (sometimes bloody diarrhea)

• Vomiting

• Lethargy

• Anemia - The dog or puppy has pale gums

• Worm segments around the anal area. These segments look like small grains of rice or sesame seeds.

• Continual licking of the anal area

• The dog or puppy scoots around on it's rear end.

• Coughing if juvenile roundworm have migrated to the dog's lungs

What are the types of intestinal worms that dogs become infected with:

Tapeworm
 
More information on Tapeworm in dogs

Flea control is an important part of preventing tapeworm.
More information on Getting rid of fleas on your dog and in your house
 

Hookworms

Hookworms are very small worms that have hook like mouth parts that burrow into your dog's intestinal wall and suck blood. They can cause anemia, black or bloody diarrhea and sometimes death in puppies. Diagnosis is made by examining the feces for eggs under a microscope

Most often found in humid tropical areas. Can infect humans.

Roundworms

Dogs can become infected with roundworms by eating infected lizards, mice, birds and other prey. Puppies can be infected by their mothers. They can also become infected from ingesting soil contaminated by infected faeces. If your puppy vomits up a worm there is a good chance it is a roundworm. Roundworms will look like spaghetti in the puppy’s feces.

Roundworms can be passed on to humans and children are most at risk.

Whipworm

Often hard to diagnose from a stool sample. Chronic weight loss may be a symptom of whipworm together with feces that has a covering of mucous.

Whipworms are not passed on to humans.

Other types of worms

• Heartworm

• Ringworm. Ringworm is actually not a worm but a fungus that affects the skin.
  More information on Ringworm in Dogs with pictures

What worming medication should I use for my puppy?

Ask your vet for the best worm medication for your dog or puppy. Worm medications come in several forms such as tablets, paste and spot-ons. Microscopic examination of your dog's stool may be necessary.

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