How to Protect Your Pet From Intestinal Worms

Canine and feline intestinal parasites are one of the most common health problems seen in dogs and cats. Most puppies and kittens are born with worms and adult dogs and cats can acquire them easily. The most common worms seen are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. But there are also numerous other intestinal parasites that can infest your dog or cat. Fortunately, there are easy ways to both treat and prevent these dog and cat worms.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Puppies and kittens are frequently born with intestinal worms and should be routinely treated for them at a young age

   Most puppies and kittens are born with worms, most commonly roundworms and/or hookworms. It is recommended to treat new puppies and kittens, starting at a few weeks of age, with an effective broad spectrum dewormer such as pyrantel pamoate (also known as Strongid-T among other brand names) or fenbendazole (commonly known as Panacur). These medications are available through your veterinarian or through your local pet supply store.

2. 
   Frontline Plus, one of many options available for monthly flea control

   Administer monthly preventive flea control for your dog or cat. Fleas frequently carry tapeworms, which can infect your dog or cat's intestines when they groom themselves and swallow a flea. Examples of monthly flea preventives include Frontline Plus, Revolution, Promeris, Advantage, Advantage Multi, Advantix K9, and many others.

3. 
   Revolution, one of many choices available for monthly heartworm control

   Administer monthly heartworm preventives such as Heartguard Plus, Iverhart Max, Iverhart Plus, Interceptor or Revolution. These products also help prevent certain intestinal parasites, including roundworms and hookworms. Some of them also help prevent whipworms and tapeworms as well.

4. 
   Tapeworms visible around dog's anus

   Observe your pet's feces for evidence of worms. Frequently, tapeworm segments will be visible in or around the feces. You may also see them by lifing your dog or cat's tail and looking at the area around your pet's anus or on the fur under the tail. Treatments for tapeworms are available and include praziquantel (Droncit or Drontal Plus). You may need to visit your veterinarian for this medication.

5. 
   Roundworms which were passed in a cat's feces

   In addition to tapeworms, you may occasionally see your pet passing roundworms in the feces or they may vomit roundworms if they are infected with them. Medications such as pyrantel pamoate (known as Strongid-T among other brand names) or fenbendazole (commonly known as Panacur) are effective in treating these worms. These medications are available through your veterinarian or through your local pet supply store.

6. Have your veterinarian check your pet's feces on a regular basis. Your pet's veterinarian will examine the feces for worm eggs and other parasites which are much too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope. Your pet's veterinarian has techniques which are quite sensitive in detecting intestinal worms and other intestinal parasites in your pet's feces. Once identified, proper medications can be chosen to eradicate these parasites for your pet.

Tips & Warnings

• Web sites like www.1800petmeds.com and www.drsfostersmith.com can make obtaining medications much simpler and less expensive for you. Some medications will require a prescription from your veterinarian.
• Never give your cat medications which are not specifically labeled to be safe for cats. Many of the medications we use on our dogs are not safe for cats and can be toxic if given mistakenly.
• Some intestinal parasites common in dogs and cats are also contagious to people, making prevention and treatment in our pets even more important.

Resources

• Intestinal Parasites of Dogs and Cats