Any experienced canine owner will know what a persistent nuisance worms in dogs can be. Serious health issues can arise for dogs when they have worms, especially if the infestation is in a puppy.
Apart for being a health threat for pets and humans, the lifecycle of worms in one of the most interesting in the whole of the animal kingdom. Learning about them isn’t necessarily for the faint-hearted, but understanding how to identify them can be beneficial to your pet’s health, as well as extremely fascinating.
Worm Length
The most common worms in dogs usually grow to being about seven inches and these are known as roundworms. Another type of worm commonly found in dogs is the hookworm. Compared to their roundworm siblings, these are a lot smaller. Because hookworms are smaller, complications of tissue migration are less frequent.
Shape and Colouring
Shape and colour-wise, different worms in dogs share similarities. They will be a spaghetti shape and tan to white in colour. The exception to this is tapes worms, which tend to be short, flat and red in colouring. You will normally find tape worms in the dog’s faeces if they have an infection. Vets should be consulted immediately if you find what you think may be tape worms.
Knowing Where To Look
You now know how to identify what worms in dogs are, you now need to know where to look for them. It is important to know where to look.
The two places you should look for dog worms is in their faeces and in their vomit. Dogs pass worms in their stool, so check it regularly. Part of a worms lifecycles involves infesting near the throat. They may then be vomited by the host. Always give your dog’s vomit a quick once over for worms.
Worms in dogs can pose serious problems for their health, but once you know where to look and what you’re looking for, then you can aid in their prevention.
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