ALL ABOUT DEWORMING OF DOGS AND OTHER PETS

WHAT, WHY, WHEN, HOW  AND PRECAUTIONS OF DEWORMING

Deworming of dogs and other pets is the first-most consideration in pet health care protocol. 

What is Deworming of Dogs and Other Pets

Deworming is a scheduled medication for pets with anti-parasitic medicines to make them free from worms.

Deworming is carried out in a healthy pet starting from an early age. 

It is different from ‘Worming treatment’ where a pet is given treatment when sickened due to worms.

Worms of Dogs and Other Pets

Worms are internal parasites or pests or helminths that feed on the host's (pet/animals/humans) intestines, heart, lungs, blood vessels, or other organs, resulting in ill effects or diseases. 

All the dogs/pets usually have some population of worms in their body every time, without showing any symptoms of illness. If not treated and the number of worms becomes higher than the immunity power of the host, the host shows signs of illness.

There may be five types of worms / internal parasites in the body of a dog - hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms.

Puppies are more susceptible than adults.

In cats - roundworms and tapeworms are common.

in Rabbits - roundworms (pinworms), tapeworms, and liver flukes.

Most of them are found in the intestines (hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm) of the host, some in the heart (heartworm) or lungs (roundworms-Ascaris, heartworm), at the anus (tapeworms, whipworms), or in the other organs/parts of the body.

How worms enter inside the body of pets (sources of worm infestation)

Worms complete most part of their life cycle in the body of the host.

Their adults lay eggs, which are voided outside the host body mostly through feces or in a few other ways like vomit, and urine.

From eggs, they turn into some intermediate stages - larva.

These larvae and eggs are found in the ground, crops, plants, water, or air and enter inside the body of a healthy pet after licking or smelling them.

Other ways of worm’s entry into the host body are by insect bites, skin penetration of worm or larva, infected dam’s (mother’s) milk (milk-worm or roundworms), infected raw meat, fishes, fleas or snails, and before birth while as embryo through the dam's uterus.

How to find out or confirm worms in your pet / Diagnosis of worms

Tapeworms are identified easily by particular scooting of the ground by your pet and they look like small rice grains and can be found in the feces or around the tail and rear area, sometimes clinging to hair or fur, maybe moving.

Roundworms are long white worms that look like noodles or spaghetti. They may appear in feces or in vomit.

Most worms are diagnosed by seeing themselves or their eggs in feces microscopically. Take a fresh stool sample in a clean polythene/plastic bag and bring it to your vet or lab.

Secret Tip - collect fecal samples around the full moon, because at this time worms lay more eggs.

A blood test is carried out to detect heartworms. Sometimes x-ray, ultrasound, ECG, or tests may be required.

Why deworming of dogs and other Pets is Essential

The worms of dogs and other pets are of Zoonotic importance - i.e., humans are also susceptible to many of these worms.

In some cases, your dog can infect you (or your family members) by licking, sniffing, kissing, or feces.

Thus, one reason for the deworming of dogs and other pets is to prevent the zoonotic transmission of worms from pets to humans.

The main reason for deworming is to prevent dogs and other pets themselves from ill effects caused by the worms.

Worming treatments do not prevent worms, they only kill worms. So it's important to deworm pets regularly to eliminate worm load and resulting ill effects. 

Symptoms or Signs or ill effects of worm infestation

In general, signs of worm infestation are

• Lack of appetite.  
• Abdominal pain or colic.
• Vomiting.
• Intestinal obstructions and rupture.
• Depression.
• Moderate to severe diarrhea, dysentery - blood in the stool.
• Dehydration.
• Protein loss and a swollen tummy - a ‘pot belly’ appearance.
• Low blood glucose level and lethargy.
• Anemia, weight loss, poor growth, poor coat appearance.
• Sometimes coughing/pneumonia, short breath.
• Chewing or licking under their tail, irritation around the anus causing pets to ‘scoot’ along the ground.
• Even the death of your pet.

Best Time to Deworm your Pet.

Deworming Schedule or Protocol for Pets.

When and How Often to Deworm your pet?

Deworming Schedule for Dogs

First dose - at 2 weeks of age.
Next at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age.
Then 4, 5, and 6 months of age.
Thereafter with a gap of 3 months lifelong.

Deworming Schedule for Cats

Kittens (4 - 16 weeks of age) - Every two weeks against roundworms (e.g. Pyrantel).

Cats (6 months or older) - Every 2 - 6 months against both roundworms and tapeworms.

Deworming Schedule for Rabbits

Against Pinworms - Piperazine once weekly for three weeks.

Against Tapeworms and Liver Flukes - a single dose of Praziquantel.

How to do Deworming of dogs and other Pets 

To control and prevent worms antiparasitic or anthelmintics drugs are administered to pets by mouth, skin applications, or by injections.

It is a best practice to give oral (by mouth) anthelmintics when your pet is on an empty stomach, i.e. in the early morning. Stop feeding or watering for the next half an hour to one hour.

There are many dewormer drugs available on the market - Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Pyrantel, Morantel, Praziquantel, Levamisole, Febental, Ivermectin, Piperazine, and much more.

Some are specific to a particular type of parasite while others are broad-spectrum, meaning work against almost all worm types.

Some are effective and safe in all pets, whilst some are not effective or even fatal in some species or breeds of pets.

Some are given orally, while few by injections or other routes.

Some are given alone, some in combination.

Correct dosage of anthelmintics is dependent upon various factors like species, breed, age, sex, body weight, health condition, types of worms, egg counts in fecal tests, previous history, type of salt of medicine, resistance to drugs, etc.

Both under-dosing and overdosing are injurious to the health of your pet.

Salt of medicine should be changed every deworming time, to avoid drug resistance.

Hence it is strictly advised that you don't give any medicine to your pet by yourself, from over the counter, or online selling sites, without consulting your VET.

Precautions regarding Worms and Deworming of Dogs and other Pets

Follow deworming as per schedule because "Prevention is better than cure".

You should be aware of the general warning signs of worm infestation.

Always consult your VET to treat your pet against worms promptly,  once the signs are appeared/detected, to prevent the spreading of worms.

Examine your pet regularly with your vet. At Least once a year for adults and two to four times for puppies.

Ivermectin may be toxic for some breeds of dogs like Collie, Sheepdogs, etc, and for some cats.

Apply preventive measures for the control of fleas, and mosquitoes. Use flea collars or flea control drugs applied over the skin,  by mouth, or by injections.

Practice these four P's - Pick up (and throw away) Pet Poop Promptly. Clean up your home and yard of dog waste all around. Wipe down your dog’s paws when you come in from walks.

Wash your hand after handling your pet or waste.

Don't let your pet lick or kiss you or your kids and other family members.

Command your pets to sleep on their own bed - not yours.

Side Effects of Deworming in Dogs and Other Pets

After recommended deworming, dogs and other pets may suffer some mild and short-lived side effects, such as lack of appetite, gastrointestinal upset, or vomiting. They are not severe and subside automatically after some time, no need to worry.

If an overdose or irrelevant drug is administered, there may be some severe effects like lethargy, intestinal cramps, drooling, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, blindness, ataxia, convulsions, dizziness, sleeplessness, coma, etc. In these situations contact your VET immediately.

Six Common Mistakes to be Avoided, regarding Deworming of Dogs and other Pets

1. Using drugs recommended for other animals or humans

Don't use drugs used in livestock like cattle, pigs, horses, etc for your dog or other pet. Even don't use drugs used in dogs for the cats, or formulations made for large dogs to the small dogs.

2. Medicating pets yourself

Don't purchase anthelmintics from a medical store or online without prior consulting with your VET.

3. Forgetting the next dose

The effect of antiparasitic medicines remains for a few days, so its repetition is mandatory after a given/scheduled interval.

4. Deworming one pet out of many other pets

If you have more than one pet, deworm all pets at the same time, not individually at different times. 

5. While administering the medicine by mouth, sometimes we assume that it is swallowed properly

But it is not true every time, your pet may spit it or throw it up due to an unpleasant taste or flavor. So keep watching and ensure its engulfment.  

6. Believing that all anthelmintics will eliminate all worms

The fact is that some anthelmintics are worm-specific while some are effective against a wide variety of worms. 

Natural or Home-made remedies to control Worms in Dogs or other Pets

If you are worried about the side effects of anthelmintic drugs, you may consider these homemade natural alternatives or solutions.

BUT

We always recommend consulting your VET first to treat and prevent worms in your pet since every pet and situation is different! 

Pumpkin seeds

Amino acid ‘cucurbitacin’ in pumpkin seeds paralyzes worms and eliminates them from the intestines. Give 1 teaspoon of whole or ground raw seeds per 10 lbs or 4.5 kg of pet’s body weight, twice daily for 3-5 days.

Fresh vegetables and fruits

• Carrots, greens, fennel, squash, cucumber, watercress, etc are excellent sources of vitamin A, fibers, and other nutrients. These are perfectly safe, boost the immune system, and can get rid of worms from our companions.
• Pineapple (enzyme- bromelain) and Papaya (enzyme - papain) help in worm removal.
• Pomegranate - helps to get rid of tapeworms.

Coconuts

Coconut is a vermifuge (which eliminates worms from the body). Sprinkle dried coconut powder on feed as 1 teaspoon for small dogs, 2 teaspoons for medium dogs, and 1 tablespoon for large dogs. Coconut oil may be fed regularly to get rid of internal parasites and provide some other health benefits as well.

Apple Cider Vinegar

¼ -1 teaspoon of raw, organic, fermented Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) should be added every day to the drinking water of your furry friend. It eliminates worms from the intestines, improves coat condition, and has several other health benefits.

Turmeric

Turmeric is considered a super-food,  boosts the immune system, and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and healing properties. It should be given with coconut oil making a paste since it can be hard to be absorbed when given alone.

Chamomile tincture

Give 0.25 - 0.50 ml per 20 lbs or 9 kg body weight of your four-legged friend, twice daily for 2 weeks. It is effective against roundworms and whipworms. It also has a soothing effect and helps in bloat and inflammation caused by the internal parasites.

Bone broth

Effective especially around the full moon, increases digestive health, and boosts the immune system.

Be prepared for the Unexpected

Treating and preventing worms using natural remedies may be a great start, but you are still advised strictly to schedule a visit with your VET, at least once a year.

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