How to Get Rid of Worms in Your Dog
Several kinds of worms — including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms —can live in your dog’s intestines and cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, or anemia.
Roundworms are predominantly a puppy problem. Puppies can be infected by their mothers before birth. These worms can be so numerous that they cause intestinal blockage. They can also work their way up into the dog’s stomach and cause vomiting. All puppies should be treated for roundworms as a part of their regular veterinary checkup.
Whipworms, tapeworms, and hookworms can infest dogs of all ages. A dog becomes infected when she eats egg-laden feces from an infected dog. These worms attach to the wall of the intestine and gnaw away.
A large infestation of worms can cause significant blood loss, which can result in anemia. Tapeworms consist of a head, neck, and segments that look like grains of rice or cucumber seeds, which may be visible in your dog’s solid waste.
Bring a fecal sample from your dog to each annual checkup, at least until your dog is 3 or 4 years old. A veterinary technician will check for worm eggs while the veterinarian examines your dog. If your pooch has parasites, a pill can usually put her right.