| Roundworms, Hookworms and Whipworms |
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| While
roundworms,
hookworms and
whipworms to not present as great a threat to full-grown dogs as
heartworms do, they are still debilitating and they can be life
threatening to puppies. |
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| Fortunately, if your dog or puppy has
been prescribed a
heartworm preventative, he or she is also being protected against these other
parasites. |
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| We commonly prescribe these products to
control roundworms, hookworms and whipworms: |
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| Roundworms |
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Roundworms are found in nearly all puppies at birth and
15% of all dogs in the United States are infected. Roundworms can cause
stunted growth in younger dogs and heavy accumulations in puppies can cause
death. |
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| Roundworms can be contracted by ingesting soil that
contains infective larvae. Infections can also occur when your pet eats a
rodent that has been infected. Puppies often consume the larvae while nursing
from a mother who is infected. |
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| Roundworm Symptoms: |
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloated belly
- Bloody or mucus-laden stool
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| If your pet develops any of these
symptoms your veterinarian should see him or her as soon as possible.
You should also try to obtain a stool sample to bring with you to your
appointment. |
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| Hookworms |
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Hookworms infect nearly 20% of all dogs in the United States. Once inside the
dog they attach to his or her intestinal lining leaving bleeding, internal
wounds. As few as one hundred worms can cause a puppy to die from blood
loss. |
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| The hookworm larvae can survive outdoors in the soil
for years. Infectious larvae can either pass through the pads of a dog’s
foot or be ingested by the dog. Hookworms are also transmitted from nursing
mothers to their puppies. |
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| Hookworm Symptoms: |
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloated belly
- Bloody or mucus-laden stool
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| If your pet develops any of these
symptoms your veterinarian should see him or her as soon as possible.
You should also try to obtain a stool sample to bring with you to
your appointment. |
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| Return to top of page
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| Whipworms |
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Whipworms infect one in seven dogs in the United States. Whipworm eggs
are passed out of an infected dog in his feces. In the soil, the egg will
develop into a larva, but the egg will not hatch until another dog has consumed
it. While in the soil, the larvae can remain alive for several years. |
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| Whipworms are a problem nearly everywhere in the
United States. They cause
anemia, weight-loss, bloody diarrhea and
dehydration in infected dogs. |
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| Whipworm Symptoms: |
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloated belly
- Bloody or mucus-laden stool
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| If your pet develops any of these
symptoms your veterinarian should see him or her as soon as possible.
You should also try to obtain a stool sample to bring with you to
your appointment. |
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