Worm infestation in dogsThe infection with many types of worms occurs completely unnoticed in your dog when sniffing or eating worm eggs or worm larvae.
However, there are also types of worms that enter your dog's body through other parasites, such as mosquitoes or fleas. These include:
Tapeworms
If your dog eats enough and is generally healthy, a few tapeworms will usually cause him rather little problems. But if there are too many worms, it can lead to deficiencies and digestive problems.
Tapeworms are found all over the world. However, the dangerous small fox tapeworm is widespread mainly in Central Europe. Massive tapeworm infestation can cause digestive problems. cause deficiencies. Performance decreases, the dog may appear lethargic and become more susceptible to disease, his coat may look dull and shaggy. Constipation and intestinal obstruction may occur, and there may be severe itching in the anal area.
Tapeworms can be easily and effectively controlled by modern worming agents. Deworming should generally be done at least four times a year, but depending on the risk, monthly treatment may also be necessary. Consult your veterinarian for advice.
Hookworms
Hookworms enter your dog's body through the skin or by swallowing larvae. There they bite into the intestinal mucosa and feed on blood.
Hookworms are also found in central and southern Europe. Studies found hookworms in over eight percent of all dogs examined, depending on the region.
Your dog can handle a few hookworms, but if there are too many, the worst that can happen is life-threatening blood loss. One recognizes an infestation sometimes by the blood in the excrement. If the larvae enter the dog through the skin, they can cause skin inflammation or tie damage.
Hookworms can be easily and effectively controlled by modern worming agents.
Whipworms
Whipworms occur in dogs of all ages and can cause blood loss and digestive problems. If hygiene is inadequate, they can re-infest an already infected dog.
Whipworms are found in central and southern Europe.
A small infestation of worms can be tolerated. However, if there are too many worms, blood or small parts of the intestinal mucosa may appear in the feces, which may become thinner in total. The consequences are anemia, emaciation and exhaustion.
Whipworms can be easily and effectively controlled by modern worming agents.
Esophageal worms
The esophageal worm is a parasite that primarily affects dogs, foxes or wolves. In rare cases, cats can also be affected.
Esophageal worms are most common in popular travel destinations such as the Mediterranean, South Africa, Brazil, Israel, Argentina, India, the U.S., and islands such as La Reunion.
Larval migration can lead to bloody injuries of the aorta and aneurysms. Worm nodes (which contain the adult worms) can cause vomiting, emaciation, indigestion and respiratory distress. The formation of tumor cells is also associated with worm nodules.
If the worm nodes are inconveniently located or grow particularly strongly (they can become as large as a tennis ball!) and if the dog suffers from respiratory distress, they may need to be surgically removed. Special deworming agents selected by the veterinarian for this purpose are extremely effective. However, fecal examinations are not always reliable for diagnosing infections with esophageal worms.
Roundworms
Puppies in particular are at risk from roundworm infestation, because they can already infect the unborn offspring in the womb or in the body of the mother. subsequently become infected by drinking the mother's milk. In adult dogs, roundworms are usually contracted by swallowing the infectious worm eggs.
Roundworms occur worldwide. Due to the high resistance of the eggs and the high number of excreted eggs, many parks and playgrounds are nowadays considered contaminated. Effective disinfection of public "dog toilets" is hardly possible.
The worms can lead to a lack of important nutrients and thus to reduced performance, apathy and susceptibility to other diseases. The coat sometimes loses its luster. May become shaggy. A massive infestation can lead to blockages or even obstruction of the bile ducts. Diarrhea, vomiting and blood in the dog's feces are possible consequences. Even the worm larvae can damage organs, especially the lungs, and even cause visual disturbances.
Puppies in particular suffer from roundworm infestation, especially if the infection has already occurred in the womb. Untreated puppies sometimes show a bloated belly ("worm belly"), exhibit growth disturbances and often only slowly become completely healthy again.
Roundworms can be easily and effectively controlled by modern worming agents.
Lungworms
Lungworms occur in many regions of the world, including Germany. While the infection with the species Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs can be very serious or even fatal, the infestation with Crenosoma vulpis usually leads to a chronic cough.
Both species are found in many countries. Studies have shown that about 13 percent of all dogs with respiratory symptoms in Germany were infected with lungworms. infection with lungworms can be very dangerous. Even turn out fatal for your dog. Symptoms include: Coughing, nosebleeds as well as bruising or behavioral problems if the central nervous system is affected.
Dogs affected with angiostrongylosis are usually relatively young on average, although infections can occur at all ages. Other possible symptoms of this worm disease are eye inflammation, diarrhea, emaciation, vomiting or abdominal pain. Crenosomosis in dogs may be misdiagnosed as an allergic respiratory disease.
Dogs suffering from angiostrongylosis are usually relatively young on average, although infections can occur at all ages. Other possible symptoms for this worm disease include eye inflammation, diarrhea, emaciation, vomiting or abdominal pain. Canine crenosomosis can be misdiagnosed as allergic respiratory disease in some circumstances. 1
A lungworm infection can occur without deworming or treatment. Treatment can be fatal. You should definitely consult a veterinarian if you suspect an infection. The deworming is done either by the administration of tablets or by the application of spot-on preparations.
Cucumber nucleus tapeworm
Cucumber seed tapeworm is the most common tapeworm in dogs. It is transmitted by ingestion of fleas, for example during grooming. The adult worm lives in the digestive tract. Symptoms usually occur only with heavy infestation.
The cucumber nucleus tapeworm occurs worldwide.
Usually only after infestation with many worms or in young or weakened animals, diarrhea, changing appetite or intestinal cramps may occur. Itching is also one of the symptoms your dog will try to relieve by slipping around on rough ground.
Cucumber tapeworms can be easily and effectively controlled by modern deworming methods. A targeted deworming is particularly useful after previous flea infestation.
Deworming should be done at least four times a year, depending on the risk, monthly treatment may be necessary. Consult your veterinarian for advice.
Heartworm
The heartworm, which can grow up to 30 centimeters in size, first settles as a larva in the blood vessels of the lungs. In the further course, the adult worms can enter the large vessels of the heart or the intestines. migrate to the atrium. The heartworm larva is transmitted by the bite of various types of mosquitoes.
In the Mediterranean countries, the heartworm is sometimes very widespread and many dogs are diseased. It is also found in the Balkan Peninsula, Slovakia and Romania.
In case of severe infestation, general weakness, listlessness and weight loss occur as a result of a deficiency supply. Characteristic is often shortness of breath. Coughing due to worm infestation of the lungs.
If the worms have arrived in the heart, heart problems up to the heart failure as well as liver and kidney disturbances and also anemia can come along. Unrecognized or treated too late, a severe infestation can be fatal.
An effective prevention against heartworms should be discussed with your veterinarian before traveling to a risk area. The treatment of an existing infestation can be complicated. Must be closely monitored by a veterinarian.
Dog skin worm Dirofilaria repens
The dog skin worm Dirofilaria repens is a close relative of the heartworm. Here, too, the larva is transmitted by a mosquito bite.
The dog skin worm is native to Southern and Eastern Europe, but is also occasionally found in Germany.
The worms are usually not dangerous for your dog. After a longer symptom-free period, small, mostly painless and displaceable nodular elevations may appear under the skin.
An infestation with these worms can be effectively combated and also prevented by special worming agents. If possible, additionally protect your dog from mosquito bites.