A dog can get sick at any time. Despite all care and precautions, a dog can catch any disease for any reason such as eating or drinking contaminated material. 

Dogs are like humans in many ways. Both can get sick due to various reasons. But the big difference is that a dog cannot speak to express his sufferings. Hence it is the responsibility of his owner to learn about his behavioral changes and body expressions that are prominent when he gets sick. 

Although you must have taken all necessary precautions for his health care, your pup will likely catch any diseases. One of the dogs’ most serious health issues is “Intestinal Worms,” most commonly called Worms. It is not a disease, but the worms cause many dog diseases.

Types Of Worms In Dogs

An intestinal worm in dogs is a parasite. They live in the intestine of a dog. Parasites eat up the nutrients and suck the blood from the dog’s intestine which may result in various diseases. Worms are of different types that affect the health condition of your dog.

• Roundworms – Roundworms live in the intestinal tract of your dog. They are white and long in shape.
• Whipworms – These are the main cause of diseases in dogs. They live in the large intestine by penetrating its walls through their head.
• Hookworms – These are shorter in size as compared to Roundworms. They have sharp mouths through which they get attached to the walls of the intestine. They constantly suck the dog’s blood, which may result in a huge blood deficiency.
• Tapeworms – These are relatively harmless worms. No significant disease is associated with these types of worms. However, flea tapeworms may cause infestation in dogs.
• Heartworms – Dogs can catch heartworms through mosquito bites. They live and further multiply in the dog’s heart. They can cause diseases of organs and lungs that may prove fatal if not treated timely. 

Reasons For Worms In Dogs

Normally dog owners follow the recommended precautionary measures to care for their health. Even then, your dog gets infested by the worms. There may be so many reasons why and how a dog gets worms. Let’s explore some of the main causes of worms in a dog. 

• The most common reason for worms in a dog is his mother. If the mother had worms at the time of birth of your dog, he is most likely to inherit them from her. Similarly, the worms can transmit to newborns through her milk. 
• Another way for your dog to catch worms is by hunting dead animals. A dead animal has so many worms that are transmitted to your dog if he hunts them. 
• Dogs roam around and like snuffing the grass. The grass can be a rich source of worms left there with other animals’ feces, urine, or eggs. The dogs from this contaminated grass directly swallow worms. Some of the worms can get stuck in the fur of the dogs. So, the contaminated surface or grass is one of the most common sources of worms getting into your dog’s digestive system.
• Some types of worms such as hookworms can penetrate through the skin of your dog. These worms can then easily reach the intestine of the dogs.
• Mosquito bites can also cause worms in dogs, especially the heartworm.
• Another reason for worms in dogs is fleas. Tapeworms can infest fleas. If the dog swallows these fleas, he can also be infested by the tapeworms.

Signs And Symptoms Of Worms In A Dog

Worms are not traceable at their early stages. They remain hidden inside the intestinal tract of the dogs. However, once the worms infect the dog, signs and symptoms indicate that the dog has worms. Here are some of the most common symptoms and signs that indicate worms in a dog. 

• Swollen tummy 
• Vomiting
• Visible worms in feces and vomits
• Visible eggs of worms in the feces 
• Visible worms stuck in the coat of the dog
• Visible worms near the anus of the dog
• The dog starts rubbing and scratching his rear
• Diarrhea with blood
• Diarrhea with mucus
• Weight loss
• Consistent hunger and abnormal appetite
• General weakness
• General malaise
• Exercise intolerance
• Sudden death – quite unfortunate but a reality 

Important Points To Note  

1. If the Diarrhea is with blood, it is a sign of hookworm.
2. If the Diarrhea is with mucus, it is a symptom of whipworm.
3. An extended belly or swollen stomach is a dog’s most common sign of worms.
4. If the dog starts rubbing his bottom on the ground, it is a clear sign of tapeworm. The eggs of a matured tapeworm start falling through the anus of the dog. It causes itching, which compels the dog to rub his bottom on the ground to get some relief from that itch. 
5. If there are no visible signs of worms in a dog, it doesn’t mean he has none. There are considerable chances that a dog has worms. So, don’t wait for them to transform into a disease. Get your dog regularly examined by a qualified vet before it’s too late.

Worm Treatment In Dogs

Deworming and worm treatment medicines are readily available in the market. You can get them from any vet medical store. Some of the most commonly used medical treatments for deworming are:

• Deworming tablets 
• Chewable deworming tablets
• Flea and heartworm treatment medicines that kill various worms
• Flavored tablets that a dog likes to chew

Although so many brands of tablets and wormers are available in the market, it is better to take your vet’s advice before buying one. Or if you are an old campaigner, you might be well aware of their utility so that you can buy on your own.

Frequency Of Worm Treatment

In case of visible worm symptoms, your dog needs urgent treatment. Here you cannot rely on merely giving deworming tablets. You need to take your pup to a qualified vet for urgent treatment. 

However, under normal circumstances, your dog must be dewormed after every three months. In some cases, the frequency of worm treatment can be increased depending on the environment and circumstances under which your dog lives. Your vet can advise better how often you should deworm your pup.

Important

It’s important to note that greyhounds have a unique body shape with a deep chest and slender waist. Therefore, they require specific harnesses designed to fit their body type properly. When choosing harnesses for a greyhound, consider the following factors:

• Size and Fit
• Design
• Material
• Safety Features
• Adjustability

All dogs get worms. You cannot expect a dog without worms. You cannot prevent your dog from getting worms despite all your precautions. So, the only thing that can save your dog from the adversities of worms is regular and timely deworming treatment, preferably under the supervision of a qualified vet.

It’s always advisable to consult with a knowledgeable pet professional or veterinarian for specific recommendations on the best harnesses for greyhounds. They can provide personalized guidance based on your dog’s needs and measurements.

Another important point is the capability of some dog worms to be transmitted to humans. Roundworm of dogs is one example. It can be transmitted to humans and may have serious consequences for humans. So, take care of yourself while treating and deworming your dogs. 

Conclusion

Dogs can get sick just like humans. Worms are the most common source of diseases in dogs. Worms can affect your dog’s health by causing various diseases, some of which can have serious impacts. 

If you are a dog lover, you are responsible for taking care of your pup. Remember, a dog cannot verbally convey his sufferings and pains to you. So, you must have at least basic knowledge about the worms in dogs and their impact on their health. 

Try to get familiarized with the signs and symptoms of worms in dogs. Make it a regular event to get your dog dewormed at least once after every three months. If you notice any of the symptoms of worms in your dog, immediately take him to the nearest vet clinic for treatment.  

Author Bio :

M Hassan Iqbal is a skilled digital marketer with 2 years of experience in SEO and content writing. He occasionally writes blogs for Dynamologic Solutions, creating engaging content that attracts traffic and delivers value.