How Should I Treat My Puppy for Roundworms?
Roundworms are an intestinal parasite commonly found in puppies that can remain in the animal's body for long periods of time if gone untreated. Detecting roundworms can be difficult and the parasite can be easily passed to puppies through their mother's milk and contact with infested fecal matter, according to PetEducation.com. Treating this condition properly will protect your puppy and also prevent the passage of roundworms to you and your family.
Proper Diagnosis
Diagnose roundworms by physically looking for the worms in your puppy's vomit or feces. The worms look a bit like tiny spaghetti. Some worms will be around 4 inches long and, in some cases, may reach 7 inches in length.
Roundworm eggs may be present in your puppy's stool as well, and they are far more difficult to detect. If you suspect your puppy has roundworms, take him to the vet for a more thorough diagnosis. Eggs will be visible with a microscope.
Wormers
Use a wormer, or an oral medication, designed to kill roundworms according to package recommendations. Among the treatments effective in killing roundworms are diethylcarbamazine, piperazine salts, ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate and fenbendazole. These chemical treatments are better known by their brand names Hartz UltraGuard Plus Rid Worm Liquid, Sergeants Worm Away, Heartgard Plus, Nemex-2, Virbantel and SafeGuard, according to NativeRemedies.com.
Frequency
Administer your chosen wormer at 2 weeks old if you have the puppy from birth. If you acquired the puppy later, give the dose immediately upon getting her home, according to PetEducation.com.
Most worm treatments are effective in killing the active worms but do not affect the roundworm eggs. A single treatment is usually only effective for a short time. The eggs hatch and new worms are present.
Treat the puppy again with the same medication at 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. Eggs will hatch and worms will be killed by follow-up doses. Repeat the dose of the wormer monthly after the initial treatments until the puppy is 6 months old.
Environmental Treatment
Treat the areas where the dog spends time. Floors of kennels, for example, often come in contact with feces. The eggs from the roundworms that may be in the feces can easily be ingested, reinfecting your puppy.
Mop the surface of dog kennels or other areas with a 20 percent bleach and water solution. Repeat this cleaning procedure on a weekly basis to help prevent the reoccurrence of roundworms in your puppy.
Pick up feces from the lawn daily and take necessary measures to control any rodent populations. Rodents are often the original host that introduces roundworms to your pets.
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