Worms are internal parasites which hide in your pets’ large or small intestines. Dogs and cats can both be affected. Worms are transmitted in several different ways. Puppies and kittens may be born with worms which they contract from their mothers in the womb or once born, through her milk. They can also be passed on if your pet ingests worm larvae or eggs in faeces, raw meat (including a carcass), soil and grass; if your pet drinks contaminated water; or via fleas.

Some worms are passed on to humans, so it is in everyone’s best interest to follow a regular deworming programme. When you deworm your pets, remember to include everyone in the house! Your pharmacist can recommend a product for humans.


Is my dog or cat infected?
Worm infestations may or may not show any outward symptoms, so don’t assume that, because your pets show no obvious signs, they are free of worms. A regular deworming programme is always necessary to keep worms away. There are a few symptoms to look out for but they can be difficult to find in the early stages of an infestation. By the time the worms are mature and symptoms are more noticeable, your pet’s health is already under threat.

Severely infected animals may start vomiting or develop diarrhoea. Puppies with a severe roundworm infection may develop a ‘pot-belly’ appearance. Loss of appetite, weight-loss and a dull coat should be reported to your vet. Check your pet’s stools. Tapeworm and roundworm can be seen with the naked eye. Tapeworms look like grains of rice while roundworms look similar to earthworms but are white in colour.


Types of worms:

Tapeworms

Dogs and cats can become infected with tapeworms from swallowing fleas that are infected with tapeworm larvae, or by eating an infected carcass. The larvae will hatch and attach themselves to the intestine walls. Tapeworms are segmented, flat worms. These segments may break off and will be excreted in your pet’s faeces or may be seen around the anus and base of the tail. Some over-the-counter worm remedies are not effective against tapeworm, so read the package insert carefully or consult your vet.


Roundworm
Infestations of roundworms can affect puppies, kittens and older animals. Young animals may be infected in the womb or through the mother’s milk. Your pet can also pick up roundworms from eggs in the faeces of an infested animal. Larvae will hatch from eggs in the intestines. They migrate to the liver and lungs and are coughed up by the dog, swallowed and returned to the small intestine where they mature into adult worms. The ‘pot-belly’ appearance in kittens and puppies could indicate a severe infestation. Roundworms can be seen in faeces but eggs can only be detected under a microscope.

Hookworms
The dangerous hookworm hooks itself onto the intestine wall and feasts on the host’s blood, causing anaemia. Puppies and kittens may contract hookworms in the womb but larvae can also penetrate through the skin and foot-pads of animals. Always consult your vet if you see blood in your dog or cat’s stool, pale gums, or weight-loss. Your vet will detect the eggs under a microscope.

Whipworms
Whipworms attach themselves to the lining of the large intestine. Once a dog has ingested eggs from infected faeces, the eggs hatch in the large intestine and grow to maturity. Eggs are passed through the intestine and are excreted in faeces. They can be difficult to detect, but weight-loss and diarrhoea should be investigated. Whipworms are rare in cats.

Treatment for worms
If you suspect worms, or wish to start a regular deworming programme, see your veterinarian for a full consultation. He or she will either suggest the right treatment based on the type of worm infestation your dog or cat has, or advise a broad-spectrum product to kill different types of worms in one dosage. Always maintain a regular deworming regime to keep your family and pets safe and parasite-free.  

Prevent worms

Your pets’ deworming schedule: