Treating Parasites

Part 1: Identity The Parasite - Roundworms - Hookworms - Whipworms - Tapeworms - Giardia - Coccidia

Part 2: Treating Parasites

Part 1

[If you already know what type of parasite your dog has, go straight to Part 2, Treating Parasites]

1. You suspect your dog has parasites...

He has mucus covered stools, diarrhea or vomiting

He's scooting his rear end on the ground or licking his anus

He's off his food

His coat looks dull
He seems lethargic

These can all be signs your dog has parasites.

But before you can treat them, you need to find out which parasite he has.

2. Collect a stool same

Some worms can be seen in the stool with the naked eye (like tapeworms, which look like little rice grains in the stool - if you see this go straight to section D. Tapeworms below but if you'll want your vet to do a fecal analysis for other types.

To collect a stool sample, take your dog out on a leash or accompany him outside to make sure you collect a fresh sample; a day old sample from the yard is not a useful specimen!

You don’t need to take your vet the whole poop; a sample about the size of two or three sugar cubes is usually sufficient for analysis purposes. You can use a poop bag to “pinch off” a sample and then dispose of the rest of the pile in the usual way.
Old pill bottles (thoroughly washed out first, of course) or other small plastic containers are ideal for your sample. Most vets will also provide you with a suitable container if you don’t have one.

Label the container with your dog’s name and your last name to make sure the sample isn’t misidentified at the vet’s office, and deliver the sample to the vet as soon as you can.

If you can't go right away, store it in the refrigerator (not the freezer), or outdoors in cooler weather.

Note: False negatives can occur due to the life cycle of the worm, so if you get a negative result but still see symptoms, retest.

A. Roundworms

Where they live: In your dog's small intestine

What they look like: Adult parasites are one to seven inches long and look like strands of spaghetti.

How Your Dog Can Get Them: Dogs can pick up roundworms by ingesting microscopic eggs from the environment or by eating infected animals like birds or rodents.

How Bad Are They? For most adult dogs roundworms are a low risk and health problems are rarely seen. But an infected female can transmit roundworms to her puppies during pregnancy; in puppies roundworms can be more serious … diarrhea and vomiting can cause in malnutrition and impaired growth.

Signs Your Dog May Have Roundworms: a pot bellied appearance, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a dull coat. Weight loss can be a sign of significant infection.

How To Treat Roundworms

With Food [A. Foods To Eliminate Worms]
With Herbs [B. Foods To Eliminate Worms]