Worms in dogs are a common problem associated with our pets. In the UK there are two types which are most common and they are roundworms and tapeworms. Puppies are most prone to roundworm infestation and adult dogs to tapeworms. Here is an introduction to both.

Normally a puppy is infested with roundworms before it is even born, or shortly after it is born. They look a lot like very small lengths of spaghetti. When they have reached maturity, which happens quickly, they live in the intestines of the dog and feed off the contents. Feeding off the dog’s partially digested food means that the infested dog does not receive all the nutrients from what he eats. Given that in serious infestations there can be dozens of worms present at once, it’s easy to see how this type of worms in dogs infestation can lead to undernourishment. Other possible symptoms include a dull coat, lethargy or vomiting and diarrhoea. At the same time it is possible for an infestation to be symptomless. Puppies often manifest their infestation with a distended abdomen. Serious infestations can cause a puppy’s death by intestinal blockage, so it is fair to assume that every puppy is infested and to treat them accordingly.

In the UK, tapeworms are the second common type of worms in dogs. They are long and flat and ribbon like. When the eggs stored in each segment have matured, they are passed via the dog’s anus into the environment. The tapeworm needs an intermediate animal in order to complete its life cycle. It is normally the flea, which must ingest the egg and later be swallowed accidentally by the dog. Once they reach adulthood, the tapeworm attaches itself to the lining of the intestine and feeds on the dog’s blood. This type of worms in dogs can therefore cause anaemia. Because of how a tapeworm’s life cycle works, it is just as important to treat them for fleas as it is to worm them.

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