Treating Worms in Dogs

Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms, and are almost impossible to see when hidden in partially digested food. They are one of the worst parasites with which dog breeders have to contend, since they dig into the wall of the intestine and live on the blood of the animal. Infection may result from swallowing the young worms which are hatched from eggs on the ground, or the worms may penetrate the skin. If swallowed, they go directly to the intestines, but if they penetrate the skin they are carried through the system as in the case of roundworms.

The symptoms of hookworms are very similar to those of roundworms. The dog may eat dirt, offal, or even droppings. The feces are frequently streaked with blood, particularly in puppies, and the damage to young dogs may be so great that death follows. In other instances the puppies become stunted in growth and malformed.

Death is caused by peritonitis, due to the breaking down of the intestinal wall. In the case of roundworms the intestines may become completely stopped, the intestinal wall may rupture, and again peritonitis will set in.

Tapeworms are not usually found in puppies Jess than three months old. They are never as frequent as either round- or hookworms, and may be treated with some reliable tapeworm remedy.

When worms manifest themselves in puppies shortly after birth, the results are usually serious. However, if all precautions have been taken to worm the dam thoroughly after breeding, this is not likely to happen. If you should find yourself faced with such a situation, there is but one thing to do. Worms allowed to remain in the puppies will either kill or deform them. I would strongly advise giving a dose of worming oil, following it in an hour and a half with a laxative such as milk of magnesia or mineral oil. Should the treatment kill the very young puppy, you will be no worse off than before, for he was doomed in any case. On the other hand, should he have sufficient stamina to withstand the effect of the worming oil, you will have saved a puppy. It is a gamble, but worth taking.

If the puppies reach the age of two months without being treated for worms, it is a wise plan to worm the whole litter, using specially prepared puppy capsules. All reliable worm remedies must be administered according to body weight. They are usually put up in capsules for various sizes of dogs, the smallest being for puppies of two pounds or slightly more. Follow the capsule with a laxative.

It is always advisable to confine puppies or dogs in another run while the worming treatment is taking place. While they are absent from their regular run, you should thoroughly disinfect it and spray the ground
with a strong solution of salt and water to kill all eggs which may remain. Always remember that the more sanitary the conditions maintained in kennels and runs, the less worry there will be concerning worms. After the puppies are returned to their regular quarters, the temporary run must be thoroughly disinfected and all droppings burned. There must be no possibility of live worms or eggs being left where they may reinfect any of the kennel inmates.

Some breeders believe in worming all puppies every two months until they are eight or ten months old, but I treat a disease only when I see symptoms which indicate its presence. My puppies are wormed at the age of two months, and again at ten weeks if symptoms are present. On the other hand, if there are no indications that the puppy is reinfested, I see no reason to treat him simply because the calendar says he is four or six months old.

Worm remedies are poisons which are strong enough to kill the worms within the body of the puppy. If given in overdoses, or too frequently, they will have a bad effect on the animal. On the other hand, Worms also give off toxins, or poisons, which are equally bad for the puppy. Therefore, I say when worms are present, treat for them. When there is no indication, forget it.

Sickness in puppies is not always due to worms. Study the symptoms. This is very necessary, since the administration of worm remedies to puppies ill with certain diseases such as inflammation of the intestines or stomach, might prove fatal. Never worm an animal suffering from distemper.

Fits are of frequent occurrence, and may be due to various causes such as irritation from worms in the digestive tract, indigestion, particularly when there is constipation, and teething. Sudden fright, diseases of
the brain, and acute excitement are other causes. When a puppy has a fit, place him in a darkened room, put cold compresses on his head, and give a sedative such as bromide. Restrain him during the time when he is violent and then leave him alone.

Should fits occur with increasing violence and frequency, consult your veterinarian. They may be caused by a disease of the central nervous system, or they may be due to a deficiency of B complex vitamins. A young puppy usually outgrows the ordinary fits of puppyhood once the cause has been removed.

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