What Do Dog Stomach Worms Look Like?
Several species of stomach worms have been seen in dogs and cats throughout the world. A stomach worm infestation, also known as Physalopterosis, typically consists of only a few worms, and single worm infestations are common.
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Physaloptera spp.
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Physaloptera are slender, worm-like animals between 30 and 40 millimeters in length; many species of which infest the stomachs of dogs and cats.
Symptoms
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Although some infestations of Physaloptera appear with no apparent symptoms, the primary symptom indicative of stomach worm infestation is vomiting. In some cases worms can even be found in the vomit contents.
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Transmission
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Stomach worms are usually transmitted when a dog ingests Physaloptera larvae residing in intermediate hosts such as beetles, cockroaches and crickets or larvae residing in transport hosts such as birds, rodents, frogs, snakes and lizards.
Treatment
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Treatment of stomach worms can be done at home using veterinarian prescribed drugs designed to kill adult worms and reduce gastric symptoms.
Prevention
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Limiting your dog's exposure to the outdoors and consequently to intermediate hosts and transport hosts will decrease the chance that your dog will contract stomach worms.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Lina Miseviciute from Fotolia.com
