Potty Training Puppy with Roundworms
Adult roundworms living in a puppy's digestive tract can grow up to seven inches long. Housebreaking or "potty training" a puppy with roundworms is a challenge. Also known as ascarids, roundworms cause diarrhea. Accidents will happen, but they will not be the puppy's fault; however, a case of roundworms is easily treatable.
-
Time Frame
-
Puppies are often born infected with roundworms, unless the mother has been dewormed during pregnancy. Roundworms can pass from the mother to puppies through its milk or infect the puppy while it is still in the womb. Puppies have no resistance to roundworms until they are at least six months old, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."
Identification
-
Puppies with roundworms will pass loose diarrhea in the house and often "scoot" or rub their anal-genital area on the carpet or grass in order to relieve the irritation that the worms cause. The adult roundworms look like thin white spaghetti, and pass in the puppy's stool. Take a stool sample to the vet to have the feces examined under a microscope for roundworm eggs. Continue to house train the puppy, but realize that until the worms are cleared up, the puppy will not be able to control its bowels.
-
Positive Training
-
Puppies with roundworms can still begin to learn where they are supposed to toilet. Puppies tend to walk around in circles, sniff or scratch the ground before they squat. Take the puppy immediately outside when seeing these behaviors. Praise the puppy for squatting outside of the home. Since puppies have such small bladders and bowels, they need to be constantly supervised so they are taken outside right when they begin to show signs that they have to go.
Misconception
-
Contrary to popular belief, you should never rub a puppy's nose in feces or urine in order to punish it for eliminating in the house. The puppy will not understand why you are pushing its nose in feces or urine. Puppies have short attention spans and so they must be caught in the act of eliminating in order to make the association between their actions and your displeasure.
Prevention
-
Puppies with roundworms can be given the worm killing medication pyrantel pamoate, which is safe enough for nursing puppies. Puppies should be given the first dose at two weeks old, then every two weeks until the puppy is eight weeks old. Keep puppies of any age away from dead animal carcasses since roundworms may be in the bodies.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit puppy image by SKYDIVECOP from Fotolia.com
