Keeping your canine worm-free is a common challenge that most dog owners face. Worms cause serious health problems for dogs if left untreated so responsible dog owners take special care to understand the dangers, symptoms, and available treatments for canine worms. 

How Dogs Get Worms

Worm larvae and eggs are very difficult to see, and by the time you see adult worms, they are already a problem. Therefore, it's important to know where worms come from to begin with:

• Their Mother. Pups can be infected with worms in utero through the mother's placenta and, once born, they can be infected through their mother's milk, although that is less common. 
• Contaminated Soil. Dogs can come in contact with worms by ingesting infected soil in their fur while grooming or by walking on soil contaminated with worm eggs.  M
• Other Animals. Dogs who scavenge off animal carcasses can catch worms by ingesting an infected animal, like a rat, which can get worms similarly to how dogs can. 
• Fleas. Fleas that are infected with worms can pass it on to dogs if they are ingested, likely while the dog is grooming.

Types of Worms in Dogs

Dogs are most commonly infected with hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, heartworms, and tapeworms. Hookworms fasten themselves to dogs' small intestines, suck their blood, and cause anemia, which is potentially fatal to puppies. Small roundworm larvae are present in a large percentage of newborn puppies but can grow to be several inches long and can cause potentially-fatal intestinal blockages. Whipworms cause few symptoms and live in dogs' small intestines, where they produce eggs that can survive in the soil for years. Heartworms are foot-long worms that dwell in the heart, lungs, and arteries of infected dogs and can lead to severe lung disease, heart failure, and harm to other organs. Tapeworms are flat, segmented worms that transfer to dogs through ingested fleas, cause mild symptoms, and can grow up to two feet in length.

Signs & Symptoms of Worms in Dogs

The best way to know if your dog has worms is to have your veterinarian conduct a fecal exam. You may, but, keep an eye out for certain symptoms and indicators at home that could indicate your dog has worms.

• Scooting, Licking, or Biting Tail Area.
• Anal Irritation.
• Dehydration.
• Unexplained Weight Loss.
• Dark, Tarry Stools.
• Diarrhea with Blood and Mucus.
• Vomiting.
• Worms in Feces or Vomit.
• Progressive Fatigue and Weakness.
• Stunted Growth in Puppies.
• Enlarged Stomach.
• Fleas.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Worms

While tapeworms are visible in your dog's stool, other intestinal worms usually have to be identified through microscopic inspection of a stool sample to look for eggs. It is advisable to give your vet a stool sample when your dog is getting his annual checkup, even if there are no symptoms. A blood test can usually identify heartworms, but, a radiograph, ultrasound, or echocardiograph may be necessary in rare circumstances. Many dogs with heartworm disease in its early stages exhibit few or no symptoms, but the earlier treatment begins, the higher the success rate. Therefore, it is a good idea to test heartworms on a yearly basis.

Deworming medications come in a variety of forms that can prevent and treat intestinal parasites. These can be given via injection, pill, or topical application. When using pet store items, make sure you are giving the right dosage for your dog's body weight and that you are aware of the types of worms that each treatment is effective against. A single treatment of dewormer may also be insufficient to eradicate all worms from your dog's body. Fresh larvae can enter the intestine following deworming so more treatment may be required to eradicate the illness. Additionally, routine deworming is not always enough to stop mothers from spreading worms to their offspring, as a result, special medications may be needed. Dogs that are infected with heartworms need a special series of injections because intestinal dewormers are not effective for heartworms.

Worm Prevention for Dogs

The best practice for most dog owners is to administer a worm preventative to your pet year-round. In fact, a dewormer for intestinal parasites is contained in many heartworm prevention treatments. Based on the worms present in your area of the country and the life style your dog leads, your veterinarian will advise you on the best course of action. There are also several actions you can do in addition to drugs to avoid worm infestations:

• When your dog uses the restroom, pick up and discard the waste right away. By doing this, the possibility of worm eggs entering your yard is reduced.
• Avoid regions where dogs, cats, or wild animals have recently urinated. Pick tidy, well-maintained parks, trails, and beaches. (This also applies to playgrounds and sandboxes for kids – search for clean facilities to reduce dangers.)
• Maintain routine veterinarian treatment, such as stool examinations and parasite prevention. Puppies who are developing an immune system and finishing their vaccination schedule should pay special attention to this.
• Keep up with vaccinations and puppy dewormers because worms are very common in puppies and can cause serious health problems or even death.

Preventing worms in dogs also protects dog owners. When worms are present in your environment, they are easier to catch than you may realize. Dog owners can be infected with worms by handling puppies and kittens, coming in contact with contaminated soil, cleaning up pet waste, or ingesting infected fleas when sleeping or playing with their dogs. You can reduce your risk of catching worms from your dog by wearing gloves, using a bag to collect feces, and keeping your lawn and garden clear of dog waste.