Roundworms are the most common of the parasitic worms found inside a dog. Almost all dogs become infected with them at some time in their lives, usually as puppies. Roundworms may be contracted in different ways, making them easy to spread and hard to control.
Your dog may be infected with roundworms from the time it is born because often the mother passes the worms to the puppy while it is still in her body. Roundworms can also develop in a puppy after it is born when the puppy eats larvated eggs from the environment or drinks worm larvae (young worms) in the mother's milk. Another way roundworms are passed is when roundworm larvae are present in the tissues of a mouse or another small mammal and the puppy eats the animal.
How will roundworms affect my dog?
Adult roundworms live in the affected dog's intestines. Many dogs do not have signs of infection; however, dogs with major roundworm infections, especially puppies, show diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance. The dog may cough if the roundworms move into the lungs.
You may notice the adult roundworms in your dog's feces or vomit. They will appear white or light brown in color and may be several inches long.
How do I prevent my dog from getting roundworms?
Because roundworms can enter your dog's body in many different ways, it is essential to keep your dog's living area clean, remove feces regularly, and, if possible, prevent your dog from eating wild animals that may carry roundworms.
To get rid of roundworms that are passed from the mother dog, puppies should be treated at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age and then receive a preventive treatment monthly. Fecal (stool) examinations should be conducted 2 to 4 times during the first year of life and 1 or 2 times each year in adults. Nursing mothers should be kept on monthly preventive and treated along with their puppies to decrease the risk of transmission.
Many heartworm preventives also control roundworms. Ask your veterinarian about prevention and treatment choices that are appropriate for your dog.
Can humans be harmed by roundworms?
Roundworms do pose a significant risk to humans. Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces. Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurologic signs in people.
Children should not be allowed to play where animals have passed feces. Individuals who have direct contact with soil that may have been contaminated by cat or dog feces should wear gloves or wash their hands immediately.
For veterinary professionals, more detailed information on roundworms can be found at https://www.capcvet.org/guidelines/ascarid/.
FAQs
Zoonoses are most commonly seen in young children. In addition to viruses and bacteria that can be transmitted to people from their furry friends, intestinal parasites can also be easily transmitted.
How do I remove parasites from my dog? ›
Roundworms and hookworms can be treated with a product containing pyrantel pamoate. Dogs with tapeworms should be treated with praziquantel (available over the counter or from your veterinarian). A whipworm infestation may be treated with fenbendazole available from your veterinarian.
What is a parasite called that lives inside of your pet? ›
Hookworms, heartworms and more. Internal parasites (also called endoparasites) are worms and other parasitic organisms that live on the inside of an animal's body.
What two main parasites do owners see in their pets stool? ›
Two worm species may be passed in infected pet feces, including roundworms (Toxocara spp.) and tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum). Roundworms resemble spaghetti, while segmented tapeworms—technically, the egg packets, not actual worms—resemble rice grains. Roundworms and tapeworm segments are commonly found in the feces.
How do you tell if you have a parasite? ›
Signs and Symptoms
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Gas or bloating.
- Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus)
- Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva.
- Stomach pain or tenderness.
- Feeling tired.
For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and may include: Watery, sometimes foul-smelling diarrhea that may alternate with soft, greasy stools. Fatigue. Stomach cramps and bloating.
Can apple cider vinegar help dogs with parasites? ›
It works because unlike other vinegar it increases the alkaline levels in the dog's intestines making it inhospitable for parasites and worms. Add 1/4-1 teaspoon of raw organic ACV to your dog's water every day you may also notice an improvement in coat condition along with several other health benefits.
What does a parasite look like in poop? ›
Additionally, some intestinal parasites are large enough to be seen with the naked eye and may appear as white thread-like creatures in stools.
Can parasites go away on their own? ›
Some parasites go away on their own, especially if you have a healthy immune system and maintain a balanced diet. However, talk to a healthcare provider if you have signs of a parasitic infection. They can make an official diagnosis and help prevent the spread of the parasite to others.
What is a parasite that lives in your bed? ›
Bed bugs usually live in bedding or mattresses and feed on the blood of humans. Their mouth has evolved in such a way that allows bed bugs to easily pierce skin without causing pain to humans. They are small insects (about 5 mm long) with six legs and a flat, oval-shaped body.
Symptoms of giardiasis may include: Explosive, watery, foul-smelling stools. Greasy stools that tend to float.
What are the signs of an animal with internal parasites? ›
Dogs can spread parasites without any signs of infection. If symptoms do appear, you may see: loose stool; diarrhea; blood in the stool; weight loss; an inability to gain weight; a dull, coarse coat; or in some cases, worms visible in the feces.
What color is dog poop with parasites? ›
White specks in the poop
White specks or spots in fresh, otherwise normal-appearing poop point to a tapeworm infestation. Tapeworm segments look like small grains of rice in fresh dog poop. Insect larvae that have hatched in feces look like tapeworm segments, but won't be present in fresh poop.
What is a natural dewormer for dogs? ›
There are a number of useful whole-food additions you can use to deworm your dog naturally. These include raw garlic, ground pumpkin seeds and certain grated fruits and vegetables like carrots, pineapple and papaya.
Why is it bad to not pick up dog poop? ›
What Happens? Pet waste can carry harmful bacteria, parasites, or viruses. It can make people, especially children, very sick. It can also be dangerous to wildlife and other dogs.
What parasite is commonly transmitted from pets to humans? ›
Toxocariasis. Toxocariasis is an infection transmitted from animals to humans (zoonosis) caused by the parasitic roundworms commonly found in the intestine of dogs (T. canis) and cats (T.
What are the symptoms of dog parasites in humans? ›
It's also known as "dog roundworm" or "cat roundworm", after the parasite that causes it. Many people who are infected don't have any symptoms. But in some people, toxocariasis causes fevers, coughing, or abdominal pain and may damage the eyes. Most cases of toxocariasis can be treated with drugs.
What happens if I get parasites from my dog? ›
Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces. Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurologic signs in people.
Can you get parasites from sleeping with your pets? ›
Many people love to sleep with their dogs, but it carries some health risks. Dogs can carry all manner of dirt, bacteria, parasites, and fungi into the bed, even if they haven't been outdoors.
Roundworms are the most common of the parasitic worms found inside a dog. Almost all dogs become infected with them at some time in their lives, usually as puppies. Roundworms may be contracted in different ways, making them easy to spread and hard to control.
regularly, and, if possible, prevent your dog from eating wild animals that may carry roundworms.