Roundworms in Dogs - Causes and Treatment

Do you see worms in your dog stool? This could be roundworms. These will pass out of your dog when they are using the bathroom. While this may be a gross find, these can easily be treated so that your dog does not have to deal with these parasites. If you see parasites in your dog’s stool, it is best for your dog to see your vet.

Roundworms are a type of parasite that can commonly affect dogs and cats. There are two main species of roundworms, they are:

• Toxocara Canis - this type can move around the body once they become mature
• Toxascaris Leonin - this type stays in the intestinal tract

Both of these types of roundworms do absorb the nutrients from your dog’s intestines. Roundworms look like long strands of spaghetti. These parasites commonly attach to the lining of your dog intestines, where they will suck blood from your dog to get their nutrients.  This can lead to anemia and diarrhea in your dog. 

There are many different signs and symptoms that you may see in a dog with roundworm infestation. These are some common symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Cough
• Dehydration
• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Lethargy
• Swelling in Abdomen: This swelling is due to the large amounts of parasites in their intestines. This is very commonly seen in puppies.
• Pneumonia

If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it is best for your dog to see your Vet. They can check your dog’s stool to see if they have roundworms or any other parasites that may be causing them to have issues.

Your dog can get roundworms in many different ways. These are some of the most common ways that your dog would get roundworm infestations.

• Eating Soil: If your dog is eating the dirt, they can get roundworms. Roundworm eggs are passed out in a dog’s stool and can survive for months in the soil. If your dog is eating grass or soil, they can quickly and easily infect themselves.
• Walking on contaminated soil: Your dog can even get roundworms from walking on infected soil. These worms can penetrate your dog’s skin on their feet and enter their body.
• Eating other animals: If your dog is known for eating prey animals, they can catch roundworms if this animal is also infected with roundworms.
• In puppies, this is a very common parasite for puppies to have. They can get it from their mother when unborn or through their milk.

By keeping your dog’s area clean and preventing them from eating things that they should not eat, you can keep them from getting roundworms.

You may be able to see these worms pass out in your dog’s stool, and this would be a very easy way to diagnose this parasite. 

Roundworm can be detected on a fecal test done by your Vet.  Your Vet will take a small sample of your dog stool and look for roundworm eggs under the microscope.  These can usually be easily seen. 

If your dog does test positive for Roundworm, your Vet can provide your dog with the best treatment to get rid of these worms.

If your dog does have Roundworm, your Vet can prescribe your dog a dewormer that will kill these worms.  These dewormers do not actually kill the worm but immobilize their mouths so that they cannot remain attached to your dog’s intestinal wall.  

Since the roundworms cannot stay attached, they will easily pass out with your dog’s stool.  It may be needed to repeat these treatments a few times until all the worms are gone in your dog. 

You can easily prevent roundworms in your dog by providing your dog with regular deworming.  Also, make sure that your yard is clean of dog poop.  If your dog does have roundworms, it is best to clean this up for a few days after giving them a dewormer to prevent your dog from reinfection.

People and other pets can catch roundworms. You can catch roundworms by your dog, licking you in the face after they licked their butt, walking on contaminated soil, not washing your hands after playing with an infected dog.  Keep your dog clear of parasites will also help keep you healthy. 

While seeing worms in your dog’s stool may be gross, they can easily be treated and even prevented.  There are many deworms that affectedly treat roundworms.  

By adopting some very good hygiene methods, you can keep your dog healthy and free of these parasites.  If you just adopted a puppy, it is best to have your Vet check them for any worms before introducing them to other pets in your house. 

For More Articles Check Out

Meet The Author 

Meet Our SitStay Dog Blog Authors