Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Cats
Most dogs and cats become infected by worms at some stage in their lives.
They may not show any symptoms of being infected and can become a
source of infection for other pets as well as for humans. We recommend
worming your pet every 3 months as part of a preventative health care
scheme that should also include monthly flea treatment and yearly
vaccinations.
What are intestinal worms?
There are two main types of worms found in dogs and cats: roundworms and tapeworms. Roundworms
are the most common type of worm. They come in several different forms called ascarids, hookworms
and whipworms.
Intestinal worms can range in size from several millimetres to several meters in length. They live within
the stomach and intestines of your pet and are usually never seen. When an animal is heavily infected,
they can occasionally be seen in vomit or faeces as long thin white strings (roundworms) or small white
segments around the backend (tapeworm).
How do dogs and cats become infected with worms?
There are three main ways your pet can become infected by worms:
1. Infected soil – animals carrying worms can deposit eggs in their faeces which if left in soil can be
a source of infection for your pet
2. Fleas – fleas can carry tapeworm which if swallowed can then infect your pet
3. Rodents/birds –If ingested by your pet, infected small mammals and birds can be a source of
worms
It is also worth mentioning that puppies and kittens can become infected with worms by their mothers
in both the milk and from the womb. We therefore recommend that you worm your puppy or kitten
once monthly until they are 6 months of age, then every 3 months as for an adult dog/cat.
How can I help prevent my pet catching worms?
Good hygiene and preventative health care is the key to reducing the chance of your pet catching
worms. Picking up faeces and keeping a litter tray clean help prevent your pet catching worms from
their environment. Preventing scavenging in dogs and routine worming of any newly acquired pets can
also help. Monthly flea treatments will help prevent flea infestations and hence reduce tapeworm
levels.
How will I know if my pet has worms?
In most cases you will not see any signs of worms as they live in the intestinal tract. Occasionally you
may see worms in your pet’s faeces or around his/her backend. In some cases where there is a high level
of worms infecting your pet, you may notice vomiting and diarrhoea, a pot belly, scooting and a reduced
appetite.
How do I treat my pet if it does have worms?
We advise worming your pet every three months with one of the following
 A palatable worming tablet (Drontal®), worming granules to mix in food (Panacur Granules®) or
a liquid oral solution that is particularly good for puppies (Drontal oral suspension for Puppies®)
 A spot-on treatment (Advocate® and Profender®). These are particularly good for animals that
are difficult to tablet as they require a small amount of liquid to be applied to the skin on the
back of the neck and no tableting
 A combined flea and worming tablet – this particularly good for the control of tapeworm
There are lots of worming and flea treatments available to buy at pet shops, pharmacies and on-line. We
recommend you always buy products directly from your veterinary surgery as you can
1. Ensure you are getting a good quality product and one that actually works
2. Your pet is receiving the product at the correct dose
3. If your pet is on medication or is unwell, we can advise you if the product can be safely used on
your pet
Can dog and cat worms cause disease in humans?
It is rare for intestinal worms to cause disease in humans, but when they do it can become very serious.
The worm most likely to cause disease is the roundworm, Toxocara. Once ingested it migrates through
the body and can cause symptoms such as seizures and blindness. Young children and
immunocompromised people are most at risk.
I struggle to apply spot-on treatments or give tablets, what can I do?
We are always happy to help you administer treatments as we understand that some pets particularly
difficult to treat! One of our vets or nurses can help you with this by either administering the treatment
for you or giving you some tips on how to do it at home.
The Swanbridge Veterinary Group, Tranby Lane, Swanland, HU143NG.
Tel: 01482633888, Fax: 01482 634576, Email: info@swanbrigevets.com