Roundworms are the most common kind of intestinal parasites found in puppers. These long, white spaghetti-like parasites can cause uncomfortable symptoms in your furry friend. If left untreated, it can sometimes even lead to dangerous health conditions. Fortunately, roundworms are usually easy to treat, but spotting early signs is the tricky part.

In this blog, we’ll go over everything from what roundworms are to the signs of roundworms in dogs, the health dangers to dogs and pet parents, as well as diagnosis, treatment, and preventative tips and advice.

What are roundworms in dogs?

Roundworms are large, nasty internal parasites that feed on the digested food of your canine companions and cause gastrointestinal infections. The most common species of roundworms in dogs is Toxocara Canis, and the rare kind is Toxascaris leonina. Pet parents should not ignore any signs of roundworms because of the impact these worms have on the pups, especially if they are young.

Although it is a problem that causes stress for pet parents, practically all hounds eventually get roundworms; however, this is more common in younger ones.

Causes of Roundworms in Dogs

Take a look at the primary causes of roundworm infections in dogs:

From the mother

Transplacental transmission: Before birth, if the fur mama of your hound is infected, roundworm larvae can be reactivated during her pregnancy. These worm larvae can then cross the placenta and infect the developing puppies in the mother’s womb.

Transmammary transmission: After birth, when nursing, roundworm larvae can be transmitted to the puppy through the mother’s milk. This can happen even if the mother was previously treated for worms, as some eggs can remain dormant in her body.

From the Contaminated Environment

Ingesting roundworm larvae from feces: Infected pups shed microscopic roundworm eggs in their feces that can survive in the soil for years. Other dogs and puppies can easily pick up these eggs by sniffing, licking, or even eating contaminated soil or feces.

Contaminated Fur: Dogs tend to pick up roundworm larvae on their paws or fur and then accidentally ingest them while grooming themselves.

Contaminated Water: This poses a high risk of infestation in your pupper because an infected animal sheds roundworms in their feces that can potentially contaminate your pupper’s water source.

From an Infected Prey

If your furry friend ends up eating an infected animal, such as a mouse, rat, or bird, that carries roundworm larvae in its tissues, there is a high chance your puppy could become infected as well. These infected animals are called paratenic hosts, meaning they carry the larvae to other small animals, but the parasite does not fully develop inside them.

Also Read: Different Ways to Identify, Treat and Prevent Roundworms in Cats

Signs of Roundworms in Dogs

Symptoms of roundworms in puppies and dogs vary, as some infections in adult hounds may come off as asymptomatic, whereas younger ones pose a higher risk of severe conditions, showing more noticeable symptoms like:

  • Visible in feces or vomit: You’ll spot off-white or cream-colored strands of spaghetti-like adult worms in your furry friend’s vomit or stool.
  • On fur: In some cases, worms or segments of them may appear on your pup’s fur, especially around their rear end, since they exit from the body through the anus.
  • Bloating: A severe roundworm infestation can cause the intestines of your pupper to stretch and swell, leading to a pot-bellied appearance, especially in the younger one.
  • Diarrhea: Roundworms in your dog’s intestine can inflame its lining, causing irritation, which often leads to soft stools or mucus.
  • Vomiting: Adult worms or their eggs can move from your pupper’s stomach to their intestines, triggering vomiting. It is more common in puppies since their digestive systems are smaller and less able to cope with severe worm loads.
  • Coughing: As roundworm eggs migrate through your dog’s body, they can end up in the lungs, causing cough or even pneumonia.
  • Weight loss: An unexplained weight loss, even when your puppy is eating normally or has an increased appetite, can signal an infestation.
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Health Risks to Dogs and Humans

It’s important to diagnose and treat roundworms in dogs because they not only pose a high risk for themselves but also for the pet parent and especially their children. Let’s see how it affects both dogs and humans.

Canines

Roundworms absorb nutrients from your pupper’s food, leading to unexplained weight loss, stunted growth, bloating, blood loss, nutritional deficiencies, vomiting and diarrhea-like symptoms.

Humans

Roundworms from dogs can infect humans, especially kids, since they can accidentally ingest eggs from contaminated soil, feces or fur. This can probably cause:

  • Visceral Larvae Migrans (VLM): When roundworm eggs travel through human organs like the lungs, liver or heart, causing internal inflammation, fever and extreme fatigue.
  • Ocular Larva Migrans (OLM): This is a condition where roundworm larvae reach the human eye, potentially leading to vision problems or, in severe cases, blindness.
  • Skin Irritation: In rare cases, roundworm larvae can migrate under the skin, but when it does, you’ll spot red, itchy tracks.

Effective Roundworm Treatments for Dogs and Puppies

Deworming treatments:

Your vet might prescribe a safe and effective dewormer, like Drontal, Milbemax, Endogard, Cazitel, etc., depending on your pet’s age and weight. Most of these treatments demand another round of dosing schedule after 2-3 weeks, since they may kill adult worms, but targeting immature roundworm eggs is the key for your dog to be worm-free!

Puppy worming schedule:

Young dogs are more at risk because they can be infested through their fur mama easily. To prevent that, vets generally recommend starting deworming at 2 weeks of age, and pet parents should repeat it every 2 weeks until their furry friend is 12 weeks old. Then, once a month until 6 months old. After your pupper has turned 6 months, you can safely switch to a regular preventative as advised by your veterinarian.

Parasite preventative:

An adult pupper should be dewormed at least every 3 months or kept on a monthly parasite preventive treatment that also covers roundworms. Pregnant and nursing fur mamas are often treated too, since they can pass on the roundworm larvae to their little ones.

Pet parent’s company:

When the worm infestation is severe in your pupper, especially if they are young, they may need extra care for dehydration, diarrhea, or poor nutrition. Seeing a vet would be advisable since they might recommend a nutrient-rich diet and regular monitoring.

Environmental control:

Pet parents should pick up and dispose of the dog stool daily to reduce the risk of larvae spreading. Never forget to wash your hands, even if you’ve just cleaned up after your dog or merely petted them. Ensure your dog does not go out hunting behind your back or eat raw prey like mice or birds, since they carry roundworm larvae.

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Worms in Dogs and Cats Naturally and Effectively

On a Final Note,

It may not always be obvious if your pupper has roundworms, and the risk of it being transmitted to the pet parent and their children is even scarier, but a regular program of preventative treatment suggested by your vet will make sure your furry friend stays safe, healthy, and worm-free!

FAQs

Q. How to deworm dogs?

A: You should consult a veterinarian for an appropriate roundworm dog treatment and make sure you stick to the dosing schedule.

Q. Can you sleep with your dog if he has roundworms?

A: It’s not safe to sleep with your dog if they are infested, since roundworms can be easily transmitted to humans.

Q: What is the lifespan of roundworms in dogs?

A: The adult worms can live for several months whereas a single female roundworm can produce up to 200,000 eggs per day.

Q: Should you clean your house if your dog has roundworms?

A: Yes, it is important for a pet parent to thoroughly clean their house since the microscopic roundworm larvae shed and can live in the environment for months or even years.