Deworming your dog is essential to protect it against intestinal worms. Failure to do so regularly can expose him to serious health consequences. If you haven’t had the habit of deworming your dog before, now is the time to change that bad habit. You don’t know how to proceed? We present to you the essentials to know about deworming dogs.
What is a dog deworming?
Whether intended for humans or animals, deworming is used to kill intestinal parasites that are worms. This is why it is called an anthelmintic (or anthelmintic). Used for curative purposes, it is effective only when it is used. This drug does not actually have a preventive action.
Thus, deworming your dog will not prevent him from being sick again if he is exposed in the future, and the deworming operation should be repeated very regularly. Dewormers do not have any persistence.
The parasites in question are roundworms or nematodes, flatworms or cestodes, and protozoa. In pharmacies and specialized pet stores, there are broad-spectrum dewormers or those whose action is oriented on a single type of worm. It is recommended to identify beforehand which parasite is responsible in order to administer the appropriate treatment. On the other hand, make sure to use a broad-spectrum dewormer.
Why deworming your dog?
Studies show that one in two dogs carry worms that are harmful to their health, regardless of their age. The deworming action is essential for the health of the animal, but also for those around it, in particular children, the elderly and the fragile. These intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, echinococcus, etc.) can be transmitted to humans and cause serious diseases such as ascariasis, toxoplasmosis or echinococcosis.
This parasite infestation can go unnoticed in dogs. In this sense, it is not necessary to see eggs or worms in his stool before deworming him. We recommend screening your pet at least twice a year. The treatment must be administered on a regular basis if the dog is exposed, especially during periods conducive to contamination (June to November), approximately the same period as that of ticks.
Which antihelminthic to choose deworming your dog?
The vast majority of anthelmintics are broad-spectrum apart from syringes. Some should be taken on an empty stomach and some should not. They are found in several forms:
- chewable tablets
- pipettes
- pasta or liquid
- injection (severe cases)
The tablets, given their small size, can be hidden in food. You can get the dog to swallow them without too much effort. Pipettes are handy if your dog refuses to swallow his treatment. They are also suitable for the treatment of external parasites (ticks, fleas). The contents are deposited on the surface of the dog’s skin, more precisely at the level of the neck. The pastes are deposited in the mouth of the dog using oral syringes. They are used much more for puppies.
The dosage and posology depend on certain parameters including age, weight, size, genes, etc. Certain breeds, in particular collies and relatives, are sensitive to milbemycin oxime. If in doubt, please consult a pharmacist or veterinarian to be on the safe side. You can also try homemade dewormers like diatomaceous earth (always ask your pet’s vet for advice before administering anything).
How often should you deworm your dog?
The type of dewormer and the frequency of administration will vary according to the dog’s age and profile, including genes, lifestyle and region. There is a dog deworming schedule you can learn from.
A deworming twice a year is sufficient for an adult apartment dog who goes out relatively rarely. On the other hand, if the dog spends a lot of time outdoors and with children, it is necessary to go up to 4 times a year, i.e. every three months. If you have young children and you live in a risk area where echinococcus is found, you can perform the treatment every two months.
The frequency is the same for hunting dogs. Puppies will be treated more frequently, because they are more fragile and more exposed. They are quickly contaminated by their infested mother via the placenta and breastfeeding. Between 15 days and 2 months, an antihelminthic should be administered every two weeks. From 2 to 6 months, it is necessary to switch to a monthly frequency.
As far as breeding bitches are concerned, deworming is done a few days (2-3 days) before mating, 15 days before giving birth, during giving birth, and 15 days after.
These precautions protect puppies. For those who are nursing, the treatment is carried out at the same time as the puppies.
In addition to this calendar, it is important to treat your dog whenever the need arises: when he returns from vacation, at each change of season or if he has been exposed.
How do you know that a dog is infected?
Worms are rarely seen with the naked eye in the stool. When they are visible, they are recognized by the presence of white foreign bodies in the form of grains of rice. Usually, stool analysis is used to identify them. However, some signs can alert.
When parasitized, adult dogs become weak, lose weight and have loose stools. In the little ones, we notice vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, and sometimes coughing. Also, you can suspect the presence of worms when your dog drags itself on the ground by the buttocks (sled sign).
How to prevent the presence of worms in dogs?
The transmission of worms is mainly by the oral route. The dog becomes contaminated by swallowing the eggs and larvae of worms lying on the ground in the filth and faeces left here and there. These then multiply in his digestive tract, sometimes in his heart or in his lungs. Transmission can also occur from the infected mother to her offspring. Other animals such as other dogs, rodents and fleas can also be the source of contamination.
To prevent infestation and contamination of the dog and therefore of the family, it is necessary to act on hygiene. Some harmless gestures play a big role:
wash your hands after touching your dog
wash your children after they have had fun with the dog
keep the sandbox clean
avoid walking it in unsanitary streets
You must keep your pet’s environment clean to avoid the multiplication of worms, but also ticks and fleas.
