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

Worm medications can be harmful to puppies that are ill from a respiratory
infection, chilled, crowded in unsanitary surroundings or abruptly weaned from
their mothers. Stressful conditions such as these should be corrected before
administering the dewormer. Do not deworm a puppy who has diarrhea unless
your veterinarian has determined that the diarrhea is caused by the parasite.
DEWORMING ADULT DOGS
Most veterinarians recommend that adult dogs be dewormed only when there
is specific reason to do so, such as when eggs or parasites are found during a
fecal examination. Dogs can also be kept on a yearlong heartworm preventive
that also protects against many of the intestinal parasites. All dogs should
have a fecal examination done at least once a year.
Most dogs carry ascarids as encysted larvae, but intestinal infestation by
the adult worm is rare in the healthy dog. Hookworms are likely to be a problem
in adults only during periods of stress. Only milbemycin (Interceptor) is
effective against encysted hookworm larvae.
Whipworms are a frequent cause of acute and chronic diarrhea in adult
dogs. They are difficult to diagnose on routine fecal examination. Eradication
requires the use of specific agents not commonly used for other worms.
Tapeworms are common in dogs but, fortunately, cause few symptoms. The
worm segments are easy to detect in the stool. Threadworms are not common.
Very few agents are effective against this parasite.
A brood bitch should have her stool checked before breeding. If parasites
are found, she should be dewormed. Deworming during pregnancy should be
done only as determined by your veterinarian. Note that some dewormers are
contraindicated during pregnancy (see the table on pages 54–55).
How to Control Worms
GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES • 53
The life cycle of most worms is such that the possibility of reinfestation is
great. To keep worms under control, you must destroy the eggs and larvae
before they reinfest the dog. This means good sanitation and maintaining
clean, dry quarters.
Dogs should not be kenneled with dirt runs, which provide ideal conditions
for seeding eggs and larvae. A watertight surface, such as cement, is the
easiest to keep clean. Gravel is a good substitute. It provides effective
drainage and allows for easy removal of stools. Hose down each kennel or run
daily and allow it to dry in the sun.
Remove stools daily from runs and pens. Lawns should be cut short and
watered only when necessary. Stools in the yard should be removed every day.
Concrete and gravel surfaces can be disinfected with lime or salt. Lime is
an alkaline corrosive, so hose down all pens after disinfecting with lime to