Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

52 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
Hookworms
DEWORMING PUPPIES
Roundworm
Whipworms
Tapeworm
These drawings show the relative size and appearance of common canine adult
worms and eggs. The eggs are magnified 500 times.
Most young puppies are infested with ascarids. Other worm parasites may also
be present, but they’re not as common. It is advisable to have your veterinarian
check your puppy’s stool before deworming for ascarids, because if other
worms are present, a broad-spectrum deworming agent may be recommended.
Puppies should be dewormed at 2 weeks of age (before ascarid eggs are
passed in the stool) and again at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Then, it’s prudent to
put them on a monthly heartworm preventive for life that also protects the
dog against other parsites, or at least continue monthly deworming for six
months. This schedule kills all ascarids, whether acquired in utero, through
infected mother’s milk, or by ingesting the eggs. Pyrantel pamoate (Nemex or
Strongid) is an excellent choice for ascarids and can be safely given to 2week-old
puppies. It is available as a liquid suspension or tablet (see How to
Give Medications, page 566).