Pets Information


Wormy Dogs? - Understand Dog Worms Infestation and Their Symptoms


Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to be of a spontaneous origin, brought about by the influence of heat upon decaying vegetable matter, and it was and still is freely asserted that puppies are born with dog worms inherited from the mother in some mysterious manner while still in uterus. This has been conclusively proven an error and in the minds of all scientists there is no question about dog worms springing from individual eggs and having a complete life history of their own.

The principal worm species with which dog owners have to contend are round worms and tape worms. The first named commonly infest puppies and consequently are most dreaded by breeders. In shape and size these worms resemble common angle worms, but in color are lighter, being almost white or only a pale pink.

In adult dogs these worms, when full grown, are from three to seven inches long. In puppies they are about half that length, and as thick as common white string. Round worms live in the small intestines, sometimes coiled in such masses as to obstruct the passage, and occasionally they wander into the stomach or are passed by the bowels.

It is easy to understand that when one dog in a kennel is infected with worms, millions of eggs will be passed with the feces. These are scattered all over the floors, bedding, feeding and drinking pans. They get on the dog's coat, are licked off and swallowed and in numbers of ways gain entrance to the digestive tracts of other dogs, where they soon hatch out and in ten days are fully developed.

This rapid development account for the popular belief that puppies are born with worms, for breeders who have held post-mortems on puppies scarcely ten days old and have found in their stomachs fully developed round worms could account for their presence in no other way. They overlooked the fact that the prospective mother, confined in a kennel infested with worms, would get these eggs attached to her coat, belly and breasts, and the young, as soon as born, would take these eggs into their stomachs with the first mouthfuls of milk.

Symptoms Of Dog Worms Attack

Dog worms are responsible for so much sickness and so many symptoms that it is practically impossible to mention all of them, but their presence can safely be suspected in all dogs which have not been recently treated for them, as well as in cases where the patient is run down, unthrifty and out of sorts.

Other symptoms are a hot, dry nose, weak, watery eyes, pale lips and gums, foul breath, mean hacking cough and a red, scurfy, pimply or irritated condition of the skin and harsh, dry, staring coat that is constantly being shed.

Wormy dogs sometimes have a depraved appetite and will eat dirt and rubbish. Some days they are ravenously hungry, the next day they will not eat at all; their sleep is disturbed by dreams and intestinal rumbling, the urine is high colored and frequently passed, bowels irregular, stomach easily unsettled, watery mucus is frequently vomited and the mouth is hot, sticky and full of ropy saliva.

Puppies which are full of worms bloat easily and are pot-bellied. After feeding their stomachs distend disproportionately to the amount of food consumed. Their bodies are also subject to scaly eruptions and their bowels to colicky pains; they do not grow as rapidly as healthy puppies should and instead of playing with each other they curl up and sleep hour after hour; they get thinner, weaker and more lifeless from day to day and if they do not waste away or die in fits and convulsions with frothing at the mouth and champing of the jaws, grow up coarse-jointed, rickety and misshapen. Puppies with worms are also liable to paralysis of their rear limbs and on removal of the worms the puppies regain control of the affected parts.

A wormy dog is usually an unhealthy and unhappy dog who leads a miserable life. It could even be deadly, especially so for young puppies. Bring your dog to a veterinarian if you are unsure. Your dog will certainly thank you for that.

About the AuthorMoses Chia is a dog lover and owner of DogsObedienceTraining.com - The dog training resource site for a happier and healthier dog.

You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

Back-to-School Blues for Pets
New York Times
Richard Hertzler/Associated Press Pet behaviorists say back-to-school season can be a stressful and sad time for pets. ...



Washington Post

Mother of Ohio man killed by bear favors pet ban
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The mother of an Ohio man who was fatally mauled by a bear has thrown her support behind an exotic pet ban being written in the state. ...
A Mother's Plea: Ban Private Ownership of Exotic AnimalsOpposing Views
Officials can't take remaining exotic pets after OH bear attackWTOL.com
Trustees on Exotic Animal Ban: Our Hands are TiedCleveland News - Fox 8

all 219 news articles »


msnbc.com

Man broke into Boulder homes to save pets from advancing fire
9NEWS.com
He knew one of the owners, but the other people whose pets he saved, he says he is not familiar with. He says a friend of a friend called asking for help ...
Boulder-area residents open doors, hearts to Fourmile Fire victimsDaily Camera
Boulder fire a 'wake-up call' for Summit CountySummit Daily News
Survival tales, mitigation questions linger as Fourmile Fire ragesThe Colorado Independent
Real Aspen -LALATE (blog) -KUNC
all 2,147 news articles »


The Black Cat Cabaret Benefits Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Pets Lifeline is the only animal shelter located in Sonoma Valley and provides a refuge for pets and resources for people. Pets Lifeline is dependent on ...
Black Cat Cabaret in SonomaSanta Rosa Press Democrat (blog)

all 2 news articles »


Are bobcats killing area pets?
Ultimate Pearland (blog)
In Friendswood's Sun Meadow subdivision, residents wonder if a bobcat is to blame for missing pets. Cats have disappeared, small dogs have been found dead, ...
Bobcat may be to blame for pet deathsabc13.com

all 5 news articles »


Phoenix family, pets saved after alert neighbor reports fire
AZFamily
PHOENIX -- An alert neighbor is being credited with saving the lives of a family and their pets. Just before 3 am Wednesday, ...

and more »


Shelter of hope for abandoned pets
Khaleej Times
Part of the problem, especially in the summer months, is that expats leave the country and don't take their pets with them. That, coupled with expats ...
Gloucester County Animal Shelter set to celebrate 20 yearsGloucester County Times - NJ.com

all 12 news articles »


Oragenics, Inc. To Exhibit Teddy's Pride(R) Oral Care Probiotics for Cats and ...
MarketWatch (press release)
"We're excited to introduce SuperZoo attendees to Teddy's Pride(R), the oral care probiotics that freshen pets' bad breath at the source while gently ...

and more »


ZYTO Corp Discusses Record Breaking Revenue During National Teleconference
MarketWatch (press release)
Pets care is a significant market and ZYTO technology will bring significant value. We're optimistic about the future at ZYTO." ZYTO designs and builds ...

and more »


Man trying to save pet snakes Tased by police
abc7.com
(KABC) -- A man trying to battle a fire and save his pet snakes was Tased by police in Pennsylvania. Now an investigation is under way. ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007