After 12 weeks of age, monthly worming helps keep your dog healthy and reduces the risk of infecting you and your family with worms.
Tapeworm
Fleas carry flea tapeworm. Flea Tapeworm segments look like grains of rice in your dog’s droppings. They can cause irritation around the anal region and dogs may ‘scoot’ along the ground.
Hydatid tapeworm
Hydatid tapeworm can be contracted by dogs when eating uncooked offal of sheep, kangaroo and other native or feral animals. This type of tapeworm poses a serious risk to humans as they can cause hydatid cysts on vital organs.
Roundworm
Most puppies are born with a roundworm infection which they contracted before birth. Warning signs include diarrhoea, vomiting, poor growth and a ‘potbelly’ appearance. Dogs can also become infected by eating soil contaminated with roundworm eggs or eating infected mice or birds.
Roundworm poses a risk to humans too, especially children. Infection can cause organ damage and blindness in extreme cases.
Hookworm
Hookworms attach to a dog’s intestinal lining, cut into it and feed on the blood and fluids released. Bloody diarrhoea is a common sign. Puppies can also develop anaemia and in severe cases, can die. Signs may be seen from around 2 weeks of age.
Humans become infected by walking on contaminated ground or by licking soil-contaminated fingers. Symptoms of infection include severe itching as worms penetrate and move around under the skin.
Whipworm
Whipworms can cause diarrhoea in both adult and young dogs. As whipworm eggs can survive in the environment for years reinfection is a concern. Whipworms pose no risk to humans.
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