Treating Canine Worms – Dewormers and Worming Schedules
Posted on | January 30, 2008 | No Comments
Different kinds of worms in dogs respond to different kinds of treatments.
Because of their susceptible situation, puppies should be treated for intestinal worms at two, four, six, eight, ten and 12 weeks of age.
Female dogs usually are wormed before mating, then from about day 42 of pregnancy. Once the puppies are born, the mother should be wormed every two weeks while the pups are still suckling.
Some experts recommend that adult dogs be wormed on every three months. Others say that dogs should be treated for worms only when evidence of an infestation is observed. In most cases pet owners should follow the recommendations of the dog‘s veterinarian.
Most worming medications contain one or more agents proven effective against many types of worms. These agents are
Praziquantel, Pyrantel and Oxantel. Among the more popular and effective medications for treating worms in dogs containing one or more of these agents are:
Canex, available in a suspension for puppies and in pills and cubes for adult dogs.
Nemex, available in tablets or liquid for removal of roundworms and hookworms in dogs or puppies.
Drontal Plus Tablets remove tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
Worming medications typically found in grocery and discount stores are not recommended because they can be injurious to dogs.
Here are some additional considerations about specific types of worms:
Hookworms
Usually the medication to kill or expel hookworms will be sufficient. However, because the worms deplete the dog‘s blood supply, it may be necessary to supplement the dog’s food with vitamins and iron. Puppies should wormed at two weeks of age, continuing until weaned, and then treated monthly after weaning to make sure all the hookworm larvae are killed or expelled. Pregnant females should be wormed two weeks after breeding, and then two to four weeks after giving birth to protect the puppies. In cases of severe hookworm infestation, a dog or puppy may require hospitalization for blood transfusion, intravenous fluids and supplemental oxygen, depending on how severe is the anemia caused by the hookworms. Depending on the animal’s condition, a dog still can die from hookworms even with intensive treatment.
Tapeworms
This parasite can be treated on an outpatient basis either by oral medication or by injection. Medication typically is very effective at removing tapeworms, provided all the prescribed medication is administered at home. Further infestation can be avoided by keeping the dog free of fleas and away from dead animals and garbage.
Heartworm
Without exception, the best treatment for heartworm is prevention. Regular monthly treatment with a medication such as Heartgard or Interceptor serves to keep dogs free of heartworms. However, if a dog is diagnosed with heartworms, the owner should expect the treatment to be expensive and traumatic for the dog. Most dogs must be hospitalized to be treatment with a medication to kill adult heartworms. Sometimes surgery is necessary to remove adult worms from the right side of the heart and the pulmonary artery. This invasive treatment is recommended when a high number of adult worms are detected.
Heartworms also can cause dogs to suffer what are called “thromboembolisms.” In this situation a blood clot that formed in the heart or lungs because of the worms breaks free and travels through the body to cause a stoppage in another blood vessel. When this happens the dog must be hospitalized.
After hospital treatment, the dog receives monthly medication to kill off heartworm larvae known as “microfilariae.” The dog’s activity also must be restricted; dogs may need to be kept in a cage or kept under the owner’s supervision. This treatment often must be sustained over a long period of time to be sure the heartworms are completely eliminated. If the dog tests positive again in the future for heartworms, the adulticide treatment is repeated or surgery may be performed.
Ringworm
Dogs with this skin fungus typically are treated with daily doses of a medication called Griseofulvin for a minimum of 30 days. This medication isn’t absorbed in the dog’s stomach unless there’s a high concentration of fat present, so the dog also should be given a high-fat diet during treatment. This can include fat trimmed from meat or rich cream. In addition to the medication, dogs with ringworm are treated with antifungal shampoo baths, topical antifungal creams or ointments, and lime sulfur dip. The treatment takes at least two weeks to begin showing results. Infected pets can remain contagious for three weeks once treatment is started.
View this Dewormer Comparision Chart for more information
Related Canine Worm Sites
- how long after hookworm treatment will my dog be ill?is my dog going to die?
- Whip Worms in Dogs | Dog illness symptoms, Cures and Health Guide
- Worms – Signs, Symptoms and Prevention – Part 1 « Gordon Lusby
- Hookworm: Helpful or Harmful? » End the Neglect
- Sierra Leone: Providing Meals to School Children before Praziquantel Treatment for Schistosomiasis » End the Neglect
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