Intestinal Parasites: Worms

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

19 Jan 2008 09:12 PM

I've got the creeps just thinking about it -- all the different types of worms that can infest a dog or cat's intestines. Yuck! But keeping your pet safe from worms is a real part of pet ownership.

When you bring your pet in for an annual exam, you usually have to bring a stool sample. Two types of worms -- roundworms and tapeworms -- can be seen in feces with the naked eye. Other worms are too small to be seen without a microscope. So don't forget to bring that sample along! If your pet has worms, the eggs will appear in the stool. By the way -- your veterinarian only needs about a teaspoon worth of fecal matter in order to check for worms. I didn't know that! I routinely bring in a big old sack for them. I'm sure they're overjoyed to see me coming.

The four most common types of worm in dogs and cats are:

• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Whipworms
• Tapeworms

If your pet has worms of any type, you'll often see similar symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea (sometimes with blood)
• Weight loss
• Dry hair
• Vomiting (sometimes with worms in the vomit)
• Worm segments or eggs in the stool in the case of tapeworms and roundworms. These segments look like sesame seeds or grains of rice.

Some infestations cause no symptoms. Some worm eggs or larvae are dormant until the body is under stress -- like pregnant mothers who pass roundworms or hookworms on to their puppies or kittens.

Not all worms respond to the same treatment -- there isn't one type of wormer that can deal with all infestations. Non-prescription wormers are generally ineffective because they may not be treating the right type of worm.

Intestinal worms are a potential health hazard for humans, too. If hookworm larvae penetrate the skin, a person can experience serious inflammation. Roundworm eggs are dangerous if ingested.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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