Deworming is one of the essential routine procedures an owner must do for their pets. The most common question people have about this process is, how do we know if the dewormer is working?
It’s not enough to just give it to your dog without any basic knowledge about it. If you are not sure and you want to know more, read through this article!
How Often Must You Deworm Your Pets?
Dogs and cats need regular deworming to prevent severe infestations. These animals have different timetables, so owners must consult with veterinarians for the proper schedule.
Dogs need deworming every month. However, if they have an infection, the veterinarian may advise more often deworming.
Meanwhile, indoor cats only need deworming every three months, while outdoor cats need the medicine every month. These cats have a higher infestation risk from exposure to wild rodents and other felines.
Dogs Recovering From Worms
Veterinarians usually prescribe oral medication for dogs. Sometimes, the owners can administer the medicine at home where the dog is calm and comfortable.
It’s normal for owners to experience slight inconvenience when giving medicine; maybe the dog chews up the tablet or throws it out. Here are some signs to know if your dewormer is working.
1. Worms In Feces
Owners will start seeing signs of effective deworming a few days after the dose. The dogs expel their worms in dog poop.
Don’t worry if you see the worms moving. As long as they are outside the dog’s body, it means the deworming was a success.
Some worms dissolve inside the dog, so owners can’t see them when examining the dog poop.
2. Improved Health
Lethargy and diarrhea are some common worm infestation symptoms. Once a dog is more playful and has a better appetite, the treatment works.
3. Decreased Bloating
Dog’s stomachs bloat when they have dog worms, so decreased bloating and increased energy means the deworming was a success.
Deworming For Cats
Usually, people don’t realize that cats need deworming. Even those that stay inside the house the whole day need this procedure as a preventive measure.
How Do Cats Get Worms?
Cats usually suffer from the same worms as dogs. They can contract these pests from several sources:
- Being in contact with contaminated soil.
- Kittens drink contaminated milk from their mother.
- Cats consume infected animals like birds, rodents, or reptiles.
- They touch another infected animal or its waste.
- They have mosquito, flea, or tick bites.
Roundworms easily infect cats. If owners don’t attend to the infestation, it may threaten the cat’s life. You must look for these signs to confirm your cat has worms:
- Bloated stomach
- Sudden weight change
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Cats Recovering From Worms
Cats suffer from intestinal parasites the same way dogs do. Veterinarians will also prescribe a similar anthelmintic medicine to treat the worms.
Here is how pet owners know they chose the proper deworming medication.
- The medicine suits the animal. Calm pets can take pills, while more aggressive cats may need drops for their food.
- Veterinarians base the calculations on their size. Cats are smaller than dogs, so the veterinarian must adjust the dosage based on their weight.
- Veterinarians must be careful about allergic reactions to some components in the medicine.
Cats also show the same recovery symptoms as dogs; increased appetite and energy, decreased belly swelling, and worms in feces.
How To Prevent Worm Infestations In Pets
Deworming is the best way to prevent infestations in pets, but there are other ways owners can protect their cats and dogs from these pests.
1. Monitor the cleanliness of the house
Ensure the cat’s litter box is regularly cleaned and dogs are far from contaminated feces and urine.
2. Avoid having pets come into contact with infected animals
Be wary of strays that may attack your pet or spread parasites and viruses.
3. Give the cats and dogs a healthy diet
Always give them fresh food to protect their stomachs and avoid serving them raw river fish. Parasites usually live in raw meat, so ingesting it can lead to a worm infestation.
4. Keep your shoes out of reach
Sometimes pests from outside can stick to your soles, and they will spread to your pets if they smell and lick your shoes.
Conclusion
Deworming medication is the best way to eliminate parasites, but how do you know if the dewormer is working? Observe if your pet appears and acts healthier; look for worms in their feces and ensure they have the proper medication amount for their size.
All pets deserve to be healthy and parasite-free. Our team at Doobert works to give every animal proper health care. Anyone can join our goal to keep our adopted animals healthy!
