Intestinal Parasites
Some types of worms can be passed onto humans.
What sorts of worms affect dogs?
There are several important types of parasitic worms in dogs and cats in our area – roundworms, hookworms,
whipworms, and tapeworms. Roundworms are white in color and look like strings. Tapeworms are flat and look like
grains of rice. Hookworms and whipworms can only be seen with a microscope.
What damage do worms cause?
Some intestinal worms can cause diarrhea, dehydration, and anemia which make your pet run-down and susceptible
to other diseases. If there are a lot of worms, your pet may cough, lose weight, have a dull coat, or have a 'pot-bellied'
appearance. In puppies and kittens, a worm infection can be more serious, causing poor growth and sometimes even
death. If there are large numbers of worms, the intestine can become blocked, and this may be fatal.
How are roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms passed on?
Worms grow in the intestine laying thousands of eggs which pass out in the droppings. The eggs can survive for
months or even years in the soil. A new animal is infected when it eats something contaminated with the worm eggs.
Worms can also pass from a mother to her babies at birth or through milk.
How are tapeworms passed on?
Tapeworm segments are passed out in the feces. These segments look like grains of rice and may wriggle for a short
time before they dry up. They are sometimes still attached to your pet's fur. Most tapeworms are spread by fleas.
Tapeworms usually do not cause obvious disease in our pets.
How can I tell if my dog has worms?
Many affected animals show no signs at all. To accurately diagnose a worm infection, the eggs must be identified
under a microscope by taking a stool sample to your veterinarian. Visible signs of infection include diarrhea,
dehydration, generally run-down or “pot-bellied” appearance, weight loss, or dull coat. Puppies and kittens may
vomit or pass round worms (looking like string) in their feces. Segments of tapeworm (looking like grains of rice) can
often be seen in the feces or in the fur around the tail base and back legs.
How can worms be destroyed?
There are some highly effective treatments which will kill worms. However, not all products are equally effective, and
each treats some types of worms but not others. Over-the-counter dewormers are often not effective at clearing
worm infections. Your vet will be able to advise you on which product is best for your pet based on the specific type
of worm after looking at the feces with a microscope. Worms are so common that it is safe to assume that all puppies
and kittens, pets with fleas, and animals which regularly catch wildlife will be infected. You should discuss with your
vet the most appropriate treatment for your pet.
Can my family catch worms from my pet?
YES. Roundworms and hookworms found in dogs are a rare but potentially serious cause of human disease. The larval
stages of this worm burrow through the gut wall and become embedded somewhere within the body and can cause
serious damage if they end up, for example, in the eye. (See information on the other side)
What can I do to reduce the risk?
Apart from discussing a deworming plan with your veterinarian, there are a number of other measures which can help
to prevent worms from being passed on from dog to dog, or from dog to people:
 Clean up pet feces from your yard right away (wearing gloves!) and bury them or dispose of them in a
sealed bag in a garbage bin.
 Check your pet for signs of fleas and treat them regularly using the product recommended by your vet.
 Children will put dirty fingers and other objects into their mouths and this may bring them into contact
with worm eggs. Make sure that they wash their hands after playing in the yard or touching your pet.