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.
My dear owner,Thank you once again for giving me shelter.... Read More
Many people are searching for different means to have pets.... Read More
The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More
There seems to be an alarming trend to have cats... Read More
"Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got... Read More
Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More
"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More
Pet ContainmentIf you just recently became a pet owner or... Read More
Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More
Adding a new member to your feline family is usually... Read More
Can you comprehend a time when dog food, cat food,... Read More
If you are looking for tips on breeding tropical fish,... Read More
You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
Let me introduce my dogs. I have 3, Nikki and... Read More
Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a... Read More
OriginDo you know that the adorable little puppy you bought... Read More
Can cats and dogs live together without constantly being at... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Domesticated cats have been gaining in popularity in the United... Read More
Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is... Read More
Most dogs live between ten and seventeen years. The relationship... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo .."Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More
Before you decide to give your dog canine arthritis medicine... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More
I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More
Mabeke is a young gorilla who was born in captivity... Read More
So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into... Read More
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More
For all pet owners, regular monitoring and "examinations" of your... Read More
Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him... Read More
If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your... Read More
Whether you're a new dog owner or have had dogs... Read More
For heat dissipation and body cooling, a horse trotting at... Read More
We have a long history with domesticated animals and even... Read More
Carl Icahn, the hostile takeover master who was THE original... Read More
Tips to getting the right GoldfishGoldfish are a temperate breed... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
Maintaining your fish bowl can be difficult sometimes. However, your... Read More
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More
You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
"Dogs have owners; cats have staff," and I have worked... Read More
It's beginning to get cooler and as such it is... Read More
The Discus fish has its habitat in the South American... Read More
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures... Read More
Pet |