Roundworms
(Toxocara species)
Roundworms (Toxocara species) are active in the intestines of
puppies, often causing a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth.
You may not suspect that your puppy has roundworms until you find
some either in vomit or stool. Roundworms look like spaghetti and can
grow up to seven inches in length. Female roundworms can produce
200 thousand eggs in a day, eggs that are protected by a hard shell
and can exist in the soil for years. Dogs become infected by ingesting
worm eggs from contaminated soil. The eggs hatch in the intestine and
the resulting larva are carried to the lungs by the bloodstream.
Roundworms do not typically infest adult dogs and cats.
However, the larvae can encyst in body tissue of intact female and
activate during the last stages of pregnancy to infest puppies. Worming
the mother has no effect on the encysted larvae and cannot prevent
the worms from infecting the puppies.
For more in-depth information on roundworms:
http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/cahrc/Roundworm.htm
(Toxocara species)
Roundworms (Toxocara species) are active in the intestines of
puppies, often causing a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth.
You may not suspect that your puppy has roundworms until you find
some either in vomit or stool. Roundworms look like spaghetti and can
grow up to seven inches in length. Female roundworms can produce
200 thousand eggs in a day, eggs that are protected by a hard shell
and can exist in the soil for years. Dogs become infected by ingesting
worm eggs from contaminated soil. The eggs hatch in the intestine and
the resulting larva are carried to the lungs by the bloodstream.
Roundworms do not typically infest adult dogs and cats.
However, the larvae can encyst in body tissue of intact female and
activate during the last stages of pregnancy to infest puppies. Worming
the mother has no effect on the encysted larvae and cannot prevent
the worms from infecting the puppies.
- A fecal test must be performed to find intestinal parasites. The
veterinarian will look for roundworm eggs under the microscope. - To rid the body of roundworms, a deworming medication is
given. Many flea control and/or heartworm prevention products
provide a monthly deworming which is especially helpful in
minimizing the risk of infection.
For more in-depth information on roundworms:
http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/cahrc/Roundworm.htm
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accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will
not be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper
use of information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information
contained on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one
do so at their own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian
before acting on it
accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will
not be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper
use of information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information
contained on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one
do so at their own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian
before acting on it