Dogs and cats suffer from intestinal worms. The degree of illness your pet may suffer can depend on the type of worms, the infestation and the age of your pet. Here is a brief rundown of what worms affect dogs and cats and the worming regime every dog and cat should be on.
Roundworm
Roundworms are quite common in dogs and cats. They can grow up to 10 cm long and are white and have a cylindrical shape and looks like a strand of spaghetti. Adult worms live in the intestines of dogs and cats, and puppies can become infected with roundworm larvae via the mother. These larvae will then grow into adult worms. Your pet can become infected by ingesting faeces, contaminated soil or by eating infected rodents.
Adult roundworms absorb the infected pet's food and can migrate and cause damage to the liver and lungs. Roundworms don’t usually cause major problems in adults, but can cause death in younger animals with severe infestation.
Hookworm
Hookworms can be quite nasty as they can burrow into your pet's intestinal wall and suck blood. Hookworms grow between 5mm – 8mm long and have a hook shape. Ingestion of worm eggs from soil can occur as can worm larvae penetrating the soles of feet. Puppies can have the larvae passed on via their mother’s milk. Death can occur in puppies with severe infestation.
Whipworm
Whipworm infestation begins when your pet ingests whipworm eggs from soil or infected faeces. When the eggs hatch, the larvae move to your pet’s lower bowel to mature. Whipworms are 4 – 7cm long and are shaped like a bullwhip. Mature whipworm attach to the wall of the large intestine and suck tissue fluid.
Flea Tapeworm
Tapeworms are flat-bodied worms made up of segments. The lifecycle of tapeworms requires an immediate host, meaning, part of its lifecycle develops in fleas, sheep or cows, depending on the type of tapeworm.
The flea tapeworm is the most common tapeworm found in dogs and cats. Infestation is caused when your pet swallows a flea during its grooming, which contains young tapeworms.
The adult tapeworm lives in the bowel and sheds segments, which can look like rice, in the faeces. The segments contain lots of tapeworm eggs. If fleas ingest the eggs, the lifecycle continues.
Hydatid Tapeworm
Hydatid tapeworms live in the bowel of infected dogs, but don’t usually cause illness. When sheep or cows graze and ingest worm eggs, the Hydatid tapeworm lifecycle continues by forming cysts in body organs (liver and lungs). Infection for dogs occurs by eating sheep or cow offal (organs) that contains Hydatid cysts.
Some of the Symptoms Your Pet May Display if it has Worms:
- Pet appears thin, but has a ‘pot-belly’
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Dehydration
- Anemia
- Lethargy/weakness
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Scooting (in dogs)
- Constant licking/biting at bottom area
- Flea infestation
Danger to Humans:
- Humans, particularly children can be affected by roundworms, by accidentally ingesting eggs that may get on hands after playing with pets or soil. Migrating larvae can cause damage to eyes, liver and nervous system.
- If hookworm penetrates the skin of humans, it causes intense itching, so gloves should used in the garden or for cleaning faeces.
- Flea Tapeworm is not a concern for humans as they are rarely infected.
- Humans can act as an immediate host for Hydatid tapeworms also, by ingesting eggs in faeces. Eggs hatch and larvae pass through the body causing cysts in lungs, liver, kidneys or the brain and can be fatal.
How to Prevent Your Dog or Cat Getting Worms
- Puppies and kittens should be wormed from 2 weeks of age, every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then, once a month until 6 months old.
- Dogs and cats, and puppies and kittens over 6 months old should be wormed every 3 months for life
- Avoid feeding your dog offal
- Use flea control on your pets
- Clean bedding regularly
- Remove dog faeces and clean litter trays
- Wear gloves for gardening and wash hands after playing with pets
Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...
