Roundworms (ascarids or nematodes) are parasites that live in the intestine, feeding off of partially digested intestinal contents. Usually, they are brown or white and a few inches long, resembling spaghetti.
They are extremely common parasites in dogs, and almost all dogs have roundworms at some point in their lives, most often in puppyhood. Two of the most important species of roundworms are Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina and they can be up to several inches long.
These worms can cause malnourishment, which is a severe issue, especially among puppies. Younger dogs are vulnerable to roundworms because of their undeveloped immune systems. Toxocara canis is significantly more dangerous because it can cause more severe diseases and can be transmitted to humans.
How do dogs get roundworms?
These are very common parasites and puppies have the highest risk of getting them and becoming sick. There are multiple ways for your dog to get infested with roundworms. It’s very common for puppies to be born with roundworms from their mother, as the larvae are typically transmitted from the mother just before birth or through nursing, by drinking her milk.
The canine roundworm has evolved in such an efficient way that if a dog ever had roundworms, a number of dormant larvae can remain in the body, even after the dog is treated and the adult worms are gone. These larvae can remain dormant for the rest of that dog’s life unless the dog is a female and it becomes pregnant. In this case, the larvae reactivate and pass on to the puppies.
These puppies can get infected either while still being in the uterus or after they are born, through drinking their moms’ milk. So even with a healthy mom, puppies should be regularly checked for roundworms starting at a young age. As an owner, you should ask your vet about deworming treatments during your dog’s pregnancy that could reduce the chances of the puppies getting roundworms.
While playing outdoors, dogs can pick up roundworm eggs from the soil or from infected dog stools. Another way that dogs can get infected with roundworms is by eating infected animals. Small animals such as a rodent, birds, worms and some insects can carry roundworms. These animals are not the normal host for these parasites, so the egg never matures there, but once a dog ingests it, the egg activates and grows inside the dog’s body.
Symptoms of roundworms in dogs
Clinical studies show that usually, puppies that are infected with this parasite have stunted growth, potbelly, and recurrent diarrhea or vomiting. Coughing might be another symptom because roundworms can travel up to the lungs and cause multiple respiratory problems. You might also see a worm in your dog’s vomit or stool. If this happens, call your vet as soon as possible and schedule an appointment.
What is the roundworm treatment for dogs?
The treatment for roundworms is simple and effective and noninvasive. There are more types of medication, some only kill the worms but not the larvae, others that also kill the larvae, so you need advice from a vet to make the right choice for your dog.
However, medication doesn’t depend on the type of roundworm that the dog has. The number of treatments depends on the age of the dog and their situation, but to make sure you get the best treatment, contact your vet.
Can humans get roundworms from dogs?
The roundworms that affect dogs cannot live their full life inside a human body. However, they can take a toll on the health of an individual. If eggs end up being ingested by humans, they can turn into larvae that become cysts located in various organs, which can lead up to various diseases.
It has been estimated that 14% of the people in the US are infected with the larvae of this parasite. Depending on which organ the parasite settles in, the health issues that can occur are very dangerous. Very rarely, liver problems may show up due to the presence of roundworms in the human body, and even less commonly the larvae can migrate to the head and eye and cause blindness.
Because there is such a high risk of transmission of these parasites to humans, it is indicated that dogs receive preventative treatment for roundworms, and that dog stools in public areas are picked up and removed immediately. You should keep children away from spaces with a lot of dogs or which are known to be contaminated with dog feces.
To determine whether or not the dog has roundworms, the vet uses a microscope and looks at the stool of the animal searching for roundworm eggs. It is possible to find the species of roundworm that affects your pet just by analyzing the form of the parasite’s eggs. When roundworms show up in vomit or stool, the diagnosis is clear.
Roundworms are known for spreading very easily, and they can lay up to 85,000 eggs a day, but there are a lot of things you can do to stop them. Make sure you deworm your puppy when he or she is young, starting with three weeks old, so you make sure he is not caring any larvae from his mother.
Keep your dog away using a leash or fences from wild animals because they can be a carrier for roundworms. Always keep the areas where your pet eats, sleeps or plays clean and throw away his poop properly. Clean up after the dog outdoors and don’t let him use a playground sandbox or a collective litter box.
Also, make sure you check your dog’s health regularly and ask your veterinary for preventive treatment for roundworms.
Humans can prevent roundworm infestation by having strict and proper hygiene, by washing their hands regularly and making sure that their yards and houses are free of animal feces. Always remove dog feces as soon as possible to prevent any contamination or roundworms from spreading.