How to Pick a Wormer for a Dog
Most dogs acquire worms at some point and worms are also common in puppies. Picking the right wormer for your dog is very important. Ingredients in a particular wormer, for example, may only kill certain types of worms and not others. Some wormers contain several active ingredients and kill fleas or control heartworm in addition to controlling other parasites. You must consider the specific needs of your dog and the dog's lifestyle when choosing a wormer. Preferably, you have also already taken the dog in to your veterinarian to determine what kind of worm, if any, the dog is infested with.
Instructions
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Determine which kind of worm your dog may have. Common worms include roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and whipworm. Sometimes you may notice worms in your dog's stools. Roundworms are long, string or noodle-like worms. Tapeworm often appears in the stool and is in segments, about the size of rice or seeds. Many kinds of worms simply won't be visible. If you aren't sure what kind of worms your dog has (and he may have several kinds), bring him to your vet for testing.
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Decide if your dog also requires heartworm prevention medicine. Some heartworm medicines prevent some other kinds of worms. Heartworm is spread through mosquito bites. If you live in any climate (which means most climates) hospitable to mosquitoes, you should strongly consider heartworm medicine. Discuss heartworm medicines with your veterinarian. Dogs usually need to be tested for existing heartworms before being placed on these medicines.
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Consider your dog's overall health before worming. Some wormers are stronger than others. If your dog is a puppy, old, pregnant or ill he/she should be wormed under the supervision of a veterinarian only. A veterinarian can offer the safest wormer for your individual dog's needs.
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Choose the method of administration best suited for your dog. Wormers come in powder, pill and topical form, depending on the brand and type of wormer. Some dogs take pills easily, while you can treat others more easily using powders or topical wormers.
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Tips & Warnings
Weigh your dog. Dosage for most wormers goes by weight and age of the dog. If your dog is large and you don't own a large pet scale, you can take the dog to a vet or a groomer to get him weighed. You shouldn't try to simply guess the weight--you could easily overdose or underdose your dog.
Preventing worms in your puppy is usually better than treating them after the fact. Ask your vet about the best preventative treatment for your puppy.
Worming is a necessary part of keeping a dog healthy. Worm infestations can sometimes cause serious illness or even death.
