One of the most common 'diseases' in dogs is an infection with worms. Worms are parasites that reside in the dog's intestines.
There are different types of worms that can infect the dog:
Roundworms
The most common are without a doubt roundworms. These worms are also called roundworms or nematodes.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are also common and are transmitted by fleas.
Whipworms
We see whipworms less often in our regions. In severe infections, they can cause worse symptoms.
Hookworms
Hookworms are mainly found in southern Europe and can cause serious symptoms. Dogs are infected by larvae that live in the environment and have been introduced by the feces of infected dogs. The larvae penetrate the skin of the abdomen and legs into the bloodstream or are licked up from the fur.
Dogs usually become infected with roundworms and whipworms through contact with feces from other dogs that are infected. The worms excrete (sometimes massive amounts of) eggs that end up in the dog's stool. Another possible transmission is eating contaminated animals or contaminated meat.
Most worms can also be contagious to humans. Children in particular appear to be sensitive, probably partly due to the more intimate contact they have with the dog.
Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms in adult dogs with a roundworm infection. Usually, the owner is alarmed if a worm comes out with the dog's stool. This is usually a dead specimen, as the live worms remain in the intestines.
In severe infestations, the animals can get diarrhea and start vomiting. This can lead to stunted growth, weight loss and a dull coat.
In very severe cases, intestinal obstructions can occur.
Puppies are much more sensitive to worms and you regularly see animals with a lot of worms and the typical swollen 'worm bellies'. Puppies can be infected before birth through the mother's bloodstream.
Whipworms and especially hookworms can cause worse symptoms such as bloody diarrhea and melema
Tapeworms usually do not cause any symptoms. The only phenomenon that is noticed is the excretion of 'grains of rice' (which sometimes move) in the dog's stool. These are segments of the worm that are filled with massive amounts of eggs. Sometimes the dog irritates the anus with sledding as a result.
Diagnosis
In many cases, the symptoms are sufficient indication for the vet to treat the dog. In case of doubt or if you want to know which worm you are dealing with, you can perform a microscopic examination of the stool.
Therapy
The treatment consists of giving medication that kills the worms. The type of worm determines which medication you will have to give, because not all worm pills kill the same worms.
In severe cases and in animals with bloody diarrhea (such as with hookworms or whipworms) it may be necessary to put the animal on an IV and treat it with antibiotics to prevent dehydration and other infections.
Because tapeworms are transmitted by fleas, a treatment against this skin parasite will also be instituted in case of an infection with tapeworm.
Prognosis
In the vast majority of cases, the prognosis is excellent. In severe infections, especially in puppies that are not treated in time, the prognosis can be poor.
Whipworms and especially hookworms are quite rare in our region, but can cause serious symptoms, sometimes resulting in death, if not treated in time.
Prevention
Nowadays, dogs are treated every 3 or 6 months, depending on their risk of infection.
If there are young children in the household, they will want to treat more frequently, given the risk of infection of the children.
You can try to prevent a worm infection by avoiding contact with feces from other dogs and by cleaning up feces.
Tapeworms are transmitted by fleas, so proper flea prevention will have the same effect against tapeworms.
