Nearly every puppy in the world is born with roundworms. This is because the roundworm's larvae are transmitted from the mother to the puppy while it is still in the womb. A female dog can harbor roundworms in her tissue, often making them immune to dewormings. The roundworms then have the opportunity to emerge during pregnancy through the mother's bloodstream and infect the unborn puppies. Roundworms can also be transmitted to newborn puppies through the mother's milk during nursing.
Roundworms are also easily transmitted to humans. Young children are most susceptible because they are always sticking their fingers in their mouths! Roundworms are transmitted to humans and dogs through eggs that are in a dog or puppy's stool. They can either be ingested through direct eating of the stool or by eating something else that has eaten the stool (the dog eats a bird, mouse, etc. that has eaten the dog's stool).
Everyone should wash their hands frequently after handling the puppy or dog and make sure that all feces is removed from the yard and disposed of on a daily basis. Most infections in people are mild and cause no symptoms at all. However there have been cases of worms migrating to the liver, brain, and eyes.
Symptoms of roundworms in humans include:
? Anemia
? Appetite Loss
? Difficulty Breathing
? Constipation
? Cough
? Cramping
? Diarrhea
? Fever
? Hives
? Itching
? Nausea
? Chest Pain
? Muscle Pain
? Passing of Worms
? Rash
? Skin Lesions
? Swelling
? Vision Disturbances
? Vomiting
? Weight Loss
Infected puppies can become quite ill and heavy infestations may lead to convulsions and even death. Most puppies that die are around the age of two to three weeks old. Puppies should be wormed at ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. Adult dogs should receive yearly stool samples from their veterinarian to check for worms. Roundworms will look like spaghetti in the puppy's feces.
Symptoms of roundworms in dogs include:
? Potbelly
? Diarrhea
? Gas
? Vomiting
? Lack of Energy
? Slow Growth Rate
? Dull Coat
? Coughing (if immature roundworms have migrated to the puppy's lungs)
Some dogs may show some or all of these symptoms while others may show no symptoms at all. When adult roundworms are seen in the dog's stool this is often because of ongoing disease in the bowel or sometimes because the worm burden had become so great that the worms are crowding each other out.
Treatment of roundworms is not dangerous and is highly effective. Buy your wormers from the vet and give them regularly as instructed. The tablets are not difficult to give if you train your dog to take them in tiny bits of cheese or put them into sweets. The best way to protect your family and dogs from roundworms is through a regular program of both medication and prevention (keeping the yard clean of feces).
About the Author:
Jennifer Bryant is a life-long lover of dogs. Jennifer loves and breeds American Pit Bull Terriers in her North Georgia home with her 2 young children. Her love of dogs has inspired her to create a website for herself (as well as other dog breeders) to advertise their occasional litter of puppies and to educate others with dog breed information and useful articles.
Bryant's Red Devils
Red Nose American Pit Bull Terriers
Puppies and Dogs for Sale .com
This article may be reprinted on your website, but the content and signature of the author must remain intact.
Newer doesn't always mean better.Adopting an older dog may be... Read More
My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More
Among the most well known cat lover gifts are photo... Read More
The Discus fish has its habitat in the South American... Read More
Stroking your cat can be good for your health! It... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Congratulations on your choice to bring home a West Highland... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
I would like to write a few words about my... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More
As dogs grow older, their senses become less sharp and... Read More
In compiling some information on achieving a proper fit to... Read More
As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
Scientific Name: Botia macracanthus Other Scientific Name(s): Cobitis macracanthus, Botia... Read More
While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of... Read More
Sometimes puppies are born that can't suckle properly, and it's... Read More
From the first day of life on a leash, most... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
Cockatiels are one of the most lovable pets in the... Read More
Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More
'I named all kittens, although they were all stillborn.' 'My... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves... Read More
Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More
Any person, whether a minor or adult, having been bitten... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
"Mom, can we get a puppy?" Who hasn't heard that... Read More
If you have never seen a Shar Pei before, the... Read More
Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More
Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable,... Read More
Although many horsemen and trainers extol the virtues of the... Read More
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Pet ContainmentIf you just recently became a pet owner or... Read More
My dog has fleas. That one statement is enough to... Read More
Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More
Still remember that very moment when you first laid your... Read More
If your life is so busy you literally only have... Read More
Moving is about as stressful a time as any in... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Dog owners, who recognize the early signs and symptoms of... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse... Read More
If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More
Pet |