Do all puppies have worms?
This is a question that's commonly asked among people who are considering purchasing a new pup. And, while worms are almost always an issue for puppies, it is not generally a difficult issue to sovle.
Some puppies are born with worms, and others aren't. There are a number of steps that you'll want to take to make sure that your puppy doesn't have worms. And, if your puppy does get worms, you'll want to know how to take care of them.
Do All Puppies Have Worms? How Can I Tell?
To be totally honest, there's a big chance that your dog will get worms. Your puppy might even be born with worms. The good news is that worms can be handled fairly easily.
If you want to lower the chances of your puppy being born with worms, then deworm the parent dog while she is pregnant as this reduces the chances of her passing worms on to her newborns.
Whatever the case, there are still some safety precautions that you'll want to take to heart.
Deworming
It's often recommended that puppies get dewormed early in life while their immune systems are underdeveloped. It's a good idea to deworm them every couple of weeks until they are two months old, and then again as they enter their third month.
After this, you'll generally only need to deworm your puppy once every three months.
Symptoms of Worms in Puppies
If you're unsure as to whether or not your new puppy has worms, look for some of these symptoms:
- Low energy and chronic fatigue
- Restlessness
- Digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting
- Lack of appetite or, more commonly, extreme appetite
- Weight loss even if they are eating regularly
- Swollen stomach
- Worms in their stool
Are There Different Types of Worms?
There are, indeed, different types of worms. Some are more dangerous than others. These are some of the most common.- Roundworms are quite common and can infect your dog if they eat feces, which can enter their mouths through dirt, dirty food, or other dogs. These worms can get quite long (up to 12 cm) and steal all your pup's nutrients, making them lose weight.
- Hookworms are dangerous and are often transmitted from the mother. These worms cause serious fatigue, anemia, and bloody stools.
- Tapeworms don't have many symptoms but are very visible in the stool.
- Whipworm causes inflammation in your puppy's bowels and can lead to excessive mucus and diarrhea.
- Coccidia isn't a worm, but it's similar. This parasite lives in your puppy's guts and causes weight loss, diarrhea, and fever.