How to Tell If Your Dog Has Round Worms
The most common type of parasitic infection in dogs is roundworms. In fact, a large majority of puppies have roundworm infections. That said, a roundworm infection is nothing to take lightly because not only can it be harmful to your dog's health, but it is also transmittable to humans. If caught early on, a roundworm infection can be treated easily.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Look at your dog's stool. This is the easiest way to detect a parasitic infection in dogs. A roundworm looks like a thin spaghetti noodle. They are about 3 to 4 inches in length, in most cases. Often, several roundworms will be present in your dog's stool.
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Observe your dog for other symptoms of roundworms. If you do not see any roundworms in your dog's stool, you must observe the animal for other symptoms of roundworms. The most common symptoms of roundworms in dogs would include: swollen belly, vomiting, gas, diarrhea, lethargy, lackluster appearance and delayed growth. In more serious cases, a dog with roundworms may also have a cough if the roundworms have invaded the lungs.
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Collect a stool sample from your dog. Wait for your dog to go the bathroom and retrieve the stool sample while wearing rubber or plastic gloves. Put the sample directly in a plastic bag. Take the stool sample to your veterinarian and have him confirm your suspicion of roundworms. If your dog has roundworms, it is best to use a professional-strength wormer that you can only get from your veterinarian. They are not very expensive and they are the most effective.
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