What are Intestinal Worms?

Intestinal worms are not harmless. Some can also cause disease in humans, especially children.

What are the types of Intestinal Worms and what do they cause?

Roundworms are the most common intestinal worms. They can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, can stunt puppy growth and cause a pot-belly appearance. Roundworm larvae can also affect young children and though rare, can cause permanent blindness.

Hookworms cause bloody diarrhoea, anaemia and can be fatal in severe cases. They are dangerous to all dogs, especially puppies. They attach to the intestine wall and cause bleeding wounds on the intestinal lining. Larvae can be swallowed or penetrate wet skin. They can also cause disease in humans.

Whipworm can cause bloody diarrhoea and anaemia. They are smaller than roundworms and are not always detected by owners in faeces.

Tapeworms by themselves cause irritation and itchiness around the anus and are part of the lifecycle of fleas. Species of tapeworms, such as Hydatids, can cause severe disease in humans (sometimes fatal).

Is regular Intestinal Worm control important?

Regular worm control in dogs is essential, but especially so in pups. The majority of puppies will have significant amounts of worms and require worming with an all-wormer fortnightly for 3 treatments, then every 3 months.

Not all all-wormers are the same and some do not control tapeworms. The highest quality all-wormers are available from vet clinics. Some heartworm prevention also contain intestinal wormers; it is important to know what your animal is protected against!

Good hygiene practices such as washing hands and regular removal of faeces from the environment reduces human exposure, and when combined with regular worming of pets, provides effective household worm control.