WORMS -the simple facts all dog and cat owners must know.
Posted on Thursday, February 05 @ 16:59:32 GMT by jenvetadmin
Worms .
We all hate the thought of our beloved dogs or cats having worms.
It is an unpleasant thought as our animals are such a big part of our lives.
Some of us allow our animals to share the same plate and the same bed!
I admit to this with my cats although some people find this surprising usually those who do not have pets themselves.
The thing is we adore our animals and we have such busy lives, we are at work all day and
the time spent with them is special. I know my cats certainly hate it if we go away and leave them with the cat sitter. One even sits on top of the stairs and growls at her like a guard dog! The point is if our animals have worms we catch get them too!
The risks to us
A small percentage around 3% are infected with roundworms. Usually they just cause a stomach upset however 12 people a year in the UK have damage to their eyes as a result, this is because the eggs turn into larvae and migrate to the back of the eye.
There are two types of tapeworms which cause cysts which could lead to liver damage.
The numbers are small but prevention is better then cure.
The signs associate with animals infested with worms can be diarrhoea, bloody faeces, weight loss, a rounded abdomen, lethargy and or a sore/itchy anus. Also you may get vomiting and the animal may have a poor general condition. Sometimes you can see signs of worms around an animals back end tiny grains which look like rice are tapeworm segments, or long brown wriggling worms are roundworms.
The main types of worms affecting dogs and cats are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Only the tape and round worms are easy to see in the faeces.
Worms need a strong and specific wormer to kill them and there are many products available. The products from your vet are strong and effective. They are safe for your animal and easy to administer. Of course there are apparently cheaper products around by they do not work so why bother? They appear cheaper but you often have to give a small handful of pills for one treatment so it isnt cheaper in the long run. Some herbal products have been known to cause problems in the past so just buy them from your vet who will also weigh your pet and ensure the dose is accurate.
Some worm facts .
Roundworms:
Many puppies and kittens are born with roundworms. They are passed from mother to baby when they are in the womb and also through the milk. Once the worms mature they shed eggs which are then eaten as the mother cleans her young she gets re-infested and so the cycle continues.
These worms can produce 200 thousand eggs in one day!!!!!
The eggs are hardy and can live in the soil for many years.
This is why it is so important to poop scoop after your dog and cat!
A severe infection of worms can kill.
Tapeworms:
Tapeworms are spread though adult fleas which have been eaten.
They can grow in the intestines up to 6 or seven inches.
The end part of the worm breaks off and it is these segments which can be noticed.
Hookworms:
These are quite common tiny worms which suck blood.
They are spread in the same way as roundworms.
A severe case can cause anemia and death especially in very young or old animals.
Whipworms:
These are difficult to diagnose.
They look like small pieces of thread.
The moral of the story WORM YOUR PETS EVERY 3 MONTHS.
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RIG Vet Recruitment is the trading name of RIG Veterinary Recruit Limited. Registered in England and Wales number 5452945. Registered Office: The White Cottage, 19 West Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7BS
RIG Vet Recruitment is the trading name of RIG Veterinary Recruit Limited. Registered in England and Wales number 5452945. Registered Office: The White Cottage, 19 West Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7BS
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