As a pet owner you have probably got accustomed to picking up dog stools, it is certainly not the greatest association of dog owners but is an essential one. However, do you ever regard what you have just picked up? Have you ever expended thoughts about contaminated soil or adult roundworms?
The fundamental truth is that the state of your dog’s feces can tell you a lot about their health. Looking also provides the opportune moment to spot worms in dog poop, identifying these early will help you to keep your dog healthy. This will make sure the best treatment and prevention procedure is followed. Find out about the 4 most common types of worms in this link.
Identifying Worms In Dog Poop
Your dog’s waste should be brown, signifying a healthy dog. But, should you regard white sections in the waste, (like spaghetti), closer inspection is critical. If the white bits are moving then your dog probably has worms.
There are several types of worms in dogs. Commonly identified variants are roundworms or tapeworms. It is possible to locate other specimens but these two are the only ones visible with the naked eye.
All worms are classified as intestinal parasites because they live in the intestine and feed off the host, in this case your dog.
In contrast the tapeworm is the same color but usually segmented, although you may even notice these white worms around the genital of your dog. Tapeworms are white when fresh but look like grains of rice when dried out, they are likely to be between a quarter to half inches long.
The Roundworm
The roundworm is commonly located in kittens and puppies, they are actually contracted from their mother while they are in the uterus. These worms make their home in the intestinal tract and grow into adult worms, as much as 5 inches long.
The worm is then excreted out of the body in the feces, any animal that eats the feces will contract the roundworm and introduce them to their intestinal tract. Roundworm eggs in the feces have hard shells, allowing them to stay in the area for years.
Once in the stomach the roundworms infect dogs, then consume your dog’s food. This lowers the nutrition available to your dog, stopping them from growing. Alternatively, it’s capable of inciting weight loss, simultaneously supplying a swollen tummy. The end result, if left untreated, is death as the intestines become blocked.
Tapeworms
Tapeworm is generally passed to your dog when they eat fleas. This is usually inadvertently, a byproduct of eating small rodents.
The tapeworm consists of up to 90 segments and can be as much as 6 inches long. It’s the tail end of this parasite that you usually find in the feces. During fecal exams, or attached to the fur by their genitals. This is also the part of the worm that a carries the eggs.
Dealing Worms In Dog Poop
If you discover white flecks in your dog poop you need to contact your vet. It is possible to get over-the-counter medicine to deal with roundworm. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case with tapeworm.
You should get treatment sooner rather than later for the sake of your beloved dog. If left untreated for any period of time your dog will develop advanced symptoms of the issue which include coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, the classic pot-belly, weight loss, a dull coat, (despite regular brushing), and frequent itching of their rear end.
Heartworms can be an issue in any part of the country that has mosquitoes. This is the pest that carries the heartworm egg. Fortunately, you can administer heartworm preventatives to eliminate any roundworm in dogs. You will need to maintain the regularity of the preventatives to ensure your dog remains heartworm free.