Worming

Worms are common internal parasites of dogs and cats which live in their stomach and intestines. They may cause no symptoms whatsoever, but more severe worm burdens may lead to weight loss or cause diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal problems.

Roundworms and tapeworms are the most common groups of worms found in pet dogs and cats.

Roundworms

These are very prevalent in both dogs and cats. The most common roundworm in dogs is Toxocara canis. In adults infection is usually asymptomatic, however infection in young puppies can be fatal. Puppies and kittens are at risk of higher burdens of roundworms as the worms can pass from the mother before birth via the placenta or through milk during lactation. Roundworm eggs are also passed in the faeces so animals are at risk of contracting worms from the environment, and cats that hunt may pick up infection from their prey.

Toxocara canis can be spread to humans, especially young children, through the ingestion of worm eggs (from faeces or contaminated soil). The worms cannot reproduce in humans so instead the larvae migrate through the body to organs such as the heart, nervous system or eyes (causing blindness).

Tapeworms

Tapeworms live in your pets intestine and although rarely cause disease they take valuable nutrients away from your pet. The most common symptom is seeing white tapeworm segments in your pets’ faeces, or around their back end. Your pet may also show signs of irritation and perform scooting motions. One common tapeworm is spread by fleas. Other tapeworms are spread in uncooked food or when pets hunt and eat mice/rabbits. Some species of tapeworm can spread to humans so regular worming and good hygiene practices are very important.

Therefore it is clear that regular worming of your pet is crucial. Good hygiene protocols, especially with young children, and ‘picking-up’ after your dog are also extremely important.

Puppies and Kittens

Due to infestation before birth through the placenta, worming treatment for puppies should start when they are 2 weeks old.

Worm infestation in kittens begins after birth (through milk) and so worming treatments need to begin at 4-6 weeks of age.

Worming protocols for both should then continue with further doses being given every 2 weeks until the pups/kittens are 12 weeks old.

We have a lot of products available to make this as practical as possible, with liquid preparations available for very young animals and tablets for the older pets.

Adults

For adults frequency of worming treatment can be determined through a benefit/risk assessment of each individual pet. As a standard protocol the BSAVA recommends worming dogs and cats every three months. This should be done more frequently where dogs and young children are in close contact.