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Standard Poodles - Dog Worms
Dog Worms – an unpleasant subject to talk about, but important to discuss nonetheless! There are several different types that can infect your Standard Poodle, and you need to be able to recognize them and the symptoms they can cause. Some of the symptoms of include: diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and poor coat. If you suspect worms in your Poodle, or even if you don’t, a stool sample from the vet can detect the ugly critters! It’s important to have your Poodle checked for his sake as well as yours, since humans can become infected with roundworms and hookworms. Roundworms can cause a disease that can cause inflammation of the muscle tissue and blindness in humans. Roundworms The most common dog worm infestation is that of roundworms. They generally do not infest an adult, but may lay dormant for a long while, later infecting newborn puppies. They may cause the puppy to have a potbelly. They can grow to approximately seven inches in length and in a severe infestation, can be seen in vomit or stool. Dogs contract roundworms from coming in contact with soil contaminated with the worm eggs. Once in the intestine, the eggs hatch and grow into adults. Hookworms Hookworms also live in the intestine. They attach themselves to the wall of the intestine and suck the dogs’ blood, sometimes causing anemia in extreme cases. Dogs usually pick up hookworms just like roundworms, from soil contaminated with the eggs. A mother dog can infect her puppies with hookworms through her milk. Hookworms can cause a condition called “creeping eruption” in humans, where the larvae burrows into the skin of the leg or foot causing an itchy, red sore. It can also cause intestinal problems in small children. Tapeworms Tapeworms also live in the small intestine. They are usually contracted when your Poodle ingests a flea carrying the tapeworm’s eggs. If your Standard Poodle is infected with tapeworms, you may be able to see them (or actually segments that have been broken off) around your dog’s rectum. You may see them moving and contracting and they are ¼ to ½ inches in length. Although humans cannot contract tapeworms from dogs, small children sometimes become infected with them by ingesting flea larvae on the ground. Whipworms Whipworms cannot be seen by the dog owner and sometimes difficult to diagnose as well. They are threadlike with one end larger than the other. Infestations are usually very light and the stool sample may not reveal any eggs. It may take several checks to determine if the dog is in fact infested with whipworms. Prevention Eradicating dog worms from the environment is an important step in preventing worm infestations that can affect your Poodle as well as humans. Make it a point to remove feces from your yard or kennel weekly. Avoid using over-the-counter dewormers, as these sometimes have no effect, or can harm you dog. It’s best to have your veterinarian prescribe the medication. Have your dog checked yearly for dog worms. Be sure to pick up after your Standard Poodle when on your daily walk around the neighborhood. You don’t want to contribute to worm infestations.
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