Intestinal Worms
Worms are common to dogs and puppies, and some may be passed to humans. Worms are usually passed to puppies via the mother's milk, which is why veterinarians administer worming medications to young puppies to treat and prevent worm infection. It is recommended to check adult dogs every year for worms and even the people the infected animal has been in contact with.
Types of Intestinal Worms
There are five main types of worms in dogs, and all with the exception of heart worms, affect the intestines of the animal. The most common intestinal parasite is the canine hookworm which attaches itself to the lining of the small intestine and lives off the blood of the dog. Tapeworms are also common and can be detected as small and flat rice-like objects that wriggle about in the feces of animals. They can be passed to humans and are resistant to over-the-counter deworming medications. Roundworms and whipworms are also intestinal parasites that attack dogs and other mammals. Whipworms, however, are not quite as common as the others and is difficult to diagnose. Whipworms do not lay many eggs, so multiple stool samples are usually required for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How Dogs Get Worms
Dogs can contract intestinal parasites like worms through a number of different ways and that's what makes the issue so common. Not only can the eggs of intestinal worms be passed through the milk of a lactating mother and the feces of other infected mammals, they can also be found in foods, soil and even carpet and linens. In rural areas, it is not unusual for roundworms and even heart worms to be contracted from horses and other livestock.
How Dogs Get Intestinal Worms - By C Hoffman
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