What You Need To Know About Treating Your Dog's Roundworm

Pets & Animals Blog

As a dog owner, you want to help your dog maintain optimal health so that they can enjoy a long, happy life. However, there are numerous pests and parasites that can threaten your dog's health. Roundworms are one of these worrisome parasites.

A roundworm is an internal parasite that lives in your dog's intestines. It has a flat appearance and can be up to 12 centimeters in length. Here's what you need to know about treating and preventing roundworms. 

There Are Noticeable Symptoms of a Roundworm Infection 

Fortunately, if your dog has roundworms, they will exhibit symptoms. One of the most common signs of roundworm is a bloated abdominal region; the bloating is due to the presence of the roundworms.

Some dogs also refuse to eat due to the abdominal discomfort caused by the roundworms. This may cause the dog to act lethargic or have abnormal bowel movements. It's possible a dog with roundworms may also vomit. Your dog may pass dead roundworms with their stool. 

If you notice changes to the appearance of your dog's abdomen or with their eating habits, it's important to see a vet as soon as possible. The sooner your dog's roundworms are diagnosed, the sooner you can begin treating the infection.

Roundworm Treatment Varies Based on the Severity of the Infection

How your veterinarian chooses to treat your dog's roundworm depends on how severe the infection is. If your dog's abdomen is severely distorted and they're in very poor health, your vet may recommend surgery to remove the roundworms and the roundworm matter. Surgery isn't the first course of treatment or the most common treatment option.

Usually, your vet will give your dog a drug to kill the roundworms and roundworm larvae. To ensure all the roundworms are gone, your vet will need to test your dog's stool until it comes up roundworm free. 

It's Important to Address the Source of the Infection

Some dogs obtain roundworms due to exposure to infected food or water. If your dog contracted roundworm via their diet, it's likely this is a one-time issue. However, other dogs contract roundworms from animal feces. 

Wild animals commonly carry roundworms. Raccoons are a notorious carrier of roundworms, and they like to use the bathroom in the same territory. If your dog encounters a raccoon's toilet area, they might eat the feces and expose themselves to the roundworms. Take steps to remove any raccoons from areas frequented by your dog, such as hiring a pest control professional to keep your property safe for your dog. 

If your dog exhibits symptoms of roundworm, talk to a professional like Sylvan Corners Pet Hospital.

Share  

3 March 2020

A Pet's Love Never Ends

Do you know what the most wonderful part of having a pet is? They love you. If you care for them well and provide for their needs, they will happily snuggle up beside you and give you all of their love and affection. This rings true for dogs, cats, and even rabbits and guinea pigs. If you love the affection you get from your pets, then you have come to the right place. This website is dedicated to pet owners and anyone else who adores animals. You will find articles here about pet ownership, food, training, and a variety of other associated topics.