Intestinal Worms

There are two types of worms which need our attention in your puppy: Intestinal Worms and Heartworm.

The peculiar mouth odour referred to as "puppy breath" is a good indication of intestinal worms. All puppies have worms and for this reason are repeatedly de-wormed until 6 months of age. Intestinal worms that can infect your dog include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms, including hydatid worms. The puppy worm may infect humans, therefore it is a must for young children to wash their hands after touching your new puppy. Worm infestation can lead to serious problems in a dog, so it is important to employ a preventional programme at a young age. Young puppies are usually treated fortnightly; adult dogs should be treated every three months.

Heartworm is different from the intestinal worm and is transmitted by mosquito bites. It is a very serious disease and can be very difficult to treat. It is often fatal. Monthly tablets must be given to prevent the worms from developing in the heartworm. Heartworm does not infect humans. There is a new heartworm vaccination that can be given after your dog is 6 months of age.

A Regular Worming Programme is Essential
While effective in killing adult worms that are present in the intestine at the time of treatment, worming is not a vaccine against future attacks. That's why regular treatment - especially in your pet's early months - is essential to its health. Dogs can be reinfected from other pets and from the environment.

Treatment Schedule:

AGE	TREATMENT
2 weeks	*
4 weeks	*
6 weeks
8 weeks	*
12 weeks	*
4 months	*
5 months	*
6 months	*
every 3 months	*

Pregnant/lactating bitches should be treated before mating, 10 days before whelping, then 2 and 4 weeks after welping. Dogs in Hydatid Tapeworm areas need treatment every 6 weeks.

Human Health Hazards and Worms
Around 80% of Australian dogs and 75% of Australian cats carry intestinal worms, which is not surprising since some adult worms can produce up to 20,000 eggs a day, and some eggs can survive up to 5 years on the ground.

After hatching, worms can infect your pet via uncooked meat, rodents, or through the skin. Even a sniff of the ground can be enough to cause infection.

The thought of intestinal worms feeding away inside puppies is simply awful. Yet, may puppies are born with roundworms. Still more are infected with hookworms through their mother's milk.

Not only does this seriously affect the health of the the puppy, it can represent a significant health hazard for humans as well. Children, who often closest to family pets, are most at risk. Children love to cuddle and kiss puppies, puppies love to lick children's faces; unfortunately, larvae can be swallowed in the process.

Fortunately, you can take action by worming your pet regularly and by looking for these tell-tale signs:

• Anaemia, including pale skin and gums.
• Diarrhoea.
• "Pot-belly: appearance, particularly in puppies and kittens.
• Weigh loss when eating heartily.
• White segments in droppings, the coat and around anus.
• Tail skidding, where your dog sits and rubs its rear along the ground.
• Poor or dull coat.

These tips will help keep your pet - and your family - healthy and worm-free for as long as possible:

• Clean kennels and sleeping areas regularly.
• Control fleas on your pets with Frontline ™.
• Don't feed your pet raw meat or offal. Prevent them from eating rodents and rabbits.
• Base your pet's diet on quality pet foods, whether canned or dried.
• Wash your hands after playing with your pet, and avoid pets licking your face.
• Remove faeces from the yard and cat litter trays.
• Control intermediate hosts of worms, e.g., rats and mice.
• Children should be taught to wash their hands thoroughly after playing with or patting their pets, especially before meals.

Copyright © 2002 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.