How to Get Rid of Roundworms in Dogs

Roundworms are an intestinal parasite which live in the intestines and stomach of dogs and often migrate to other parts of the body. They are also known as Ascaris Lumbricoides, and are one of the most common parasitic worms to be found in your pet. Dogs can become infected with roundworms either in the uterus where they are passed from their mother to puppy, through their mother's milk or by ingesting eggs found outside in the soil, in feces or by eating infected rodents.

Two species of roundworm are Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina. Once inside the body, the roundworm passes the toxacara eggs into the dog's feces. If a dog eats contaminated feces, then the second stage larva is ingested into your dog's body, where it hatches inside the gut. They then penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate to other areas of the body through the blood stream, such as to the liver and lungs. The roundworms then travel back to the intestine where they live, continue to mature to adult roundworm, and lay eggs. The cycle is then repeated, with your dog excreting these eggs via their feces, where they can lay in the soil for several years. Some roundworm can lay dormant in your dog's body, becoming active if the female dog becomes pregnant. Roundworms can produce approximately 2000 eggs daily. Their migration can depend on your dog's age and immune system. Roundworms can often grow up to several feet, and are white or light brown in color.

Some pets may show no signs of infection. However, with a major infestation, symptoms can include vomiting (sometimes worms are visible in the vomit), loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, coughing, bloating, abdominal pain, and/or blood in stool. In advanced stages, your dog may develop pneumonia as the larva enters the respiratory system, and other more severe health conditions as the roundworm migrate. If left untreated, severe cases may cause death.

Your veterinarian will diagnose roundworm using a stool sample, which will be examined under a microscope (fecal flotation). This is often carried out regularly whilst your puppy is feeding to ensure infection has not spread via the mother's milk. This helps to detect roundworm eggs or the presence of dead roundworms. A swollen abdomen may also be present upon physical examination.

Treatment to kill adult roundworm include Vermox, or Comnbantin - 1 or Heartguard plus. As these only kill the adult roundworm, treatment may need to be continued as and when the larvae age. Some forms of heart worm preventative treatment may also help to kill roundworm infection. There are also preventative options available.

Pet owners can help to prevent the spread of infection by ensuring feces are cleared quickly and safely, and that your dogs living conditions are clean. Ensuring your dog do not ingest feces, soil or other rodents is important to avoid them becoming infected. There is a chance that humans become affected, and so pet owners should be careful when handing feces. Although it is suggested that all dogs will contract roundworms at some point in their lives, an early diagnosis and relevant treatment can ensure the condition does not become severe and means roundworm is very treatable. Following preventative measures can help your dog to avoid recurrent infections.