How to Know Your Puppy Has Worms

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References Approved

Intestinal parasites, such as worms, are common in dogs and puppies, especially if they spend time outside. There are four different types of worms that your puppy might have and each presents with different symptoms and potential health problems.^{[1]
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Animal Humane Society
Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
Go to source} But by watching for the signs and symptoms of worms and getting veterinary testing, you can know if your puppy has worms and get her timely treatment.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Watching for Symptoms of Worms

1
Watch for roundworms. Almost all dogs, including puppies, will get roundworms at some point in their lives because they are the most common parasitic worm in dogs. Puppies are especially vulnerable to roundworm infections from their mother’s either through transmission in utero or through her milk. However, eating other small animals such as mice can give your puppy roundworms. Although many dogs don’t have any symptoms of roundworms, the following signs can indicate a severe case of roundworms in your puppy:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Dull fur or hair
- Potbelly
- Cough, which indicates the roundworms have moved into your puppy’s lungs
- Worms of white or light brown color up to several inches long in your puppy’s feces.^{[2]
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2
Detect hookworms. This parasite, which “hooks” itself onto the lining of your puppy’s intestines by ingestion of larvae or eggs in the soil or through routine licking and cleaning, is also relatively common.^{[3]
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Animal Humane Society
Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
Go to source} Hookworms can lead to malnutrition and death, especially in puppies, so it’s very important to watch for signs of infection and get treatment immediately. Unlike roundworms and tapeworms, it’s difficult to see hookworms in your puppy’s stool. However, you can detect hookworms by looking for other symptoms or signs such as:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss.^{[4]
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3
Look for whipworms. Just like hookworms, whipworms burrow into the intestine of your puppy and suck on her blood after she ingests their eggs in soil or other substances such as feces.^{[5]
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Research source} However, they do not cause serious blood loss unless your puppy has a large number of them, which can also cause death. Your puppy can get whipworms from contaminated soil or grooming. Many dogs won’t have signs of whipworms, but bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a severe infection and you should seek treatment immediately.^{[6]
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- Be aware that your vet will check your puppy for whipworms and other worms as a part of any checkup.
4
Inspect for tapeworms. Puppies can get tapeworms from a variety of sources such as eating a mouse or flea infected with tapeworms. This can happen when she is outside or through the course of daily grooming. Tapeworms live off of food in your puppy’s intestine and can break off, which makes them easy to spot either in your puppy’s feces or on her anus.^{[7]
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Animal Humane Society
Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
Go to source} Tapeworms are generally not harmful, but may cause weight loss if your puppy has a bad case.^{[8]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Look for these typical signs of tapeworms in your puppy:
- ”Rice-like” segments of tapeworms around your puppy’s rectum or on top of her feces.^{[9]
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  Animal Humane Society
  Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
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- Skin irritation, which might cause your dog to scoot her anus across the ground or another rough surface like a rug
- Licking or biting the area
- Portions of the worm in vomit
- Weight loss.^{[10]
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  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
5
Monitor for heartworms. Puppies can get heartworm through mosquito bites, which cause the worms to travel through the bloodstream and infect the heart and lungs. Heartworms, which are harmful to a dog no matter its age, can be costly to treat and even fatal. However, they are preventable with affordable medication.^{[11]
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Research source} Many dogs will show no symptoms in the early stages of heartworm infestation because it takes six months for the worms to develop into adulthood, but the following signs may appear after your puppy is six months old:
- Mild persistent cough
- Reluctance to exercise
- Fatigue after moderate activity
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Swollen belly from excess fluid in the belly
- Heart failure.^{[12]
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6
Be aware of your puppy’s risk. Worms, which are an intestinal parasite, are very common in puppies, especially if they spend time outdoors. Knowing your puppy’s risk for worms, especially harmful heart- and hookworms can help you watch for the signs of infection. Puppies are often infected with worms by:
- Ingesting the eggs or larvae of worms from soil or routine cleaning
- Eating birds, rodents, or other dead animals
- Having fleas
- Getting worms from their mother in utero^{[13]
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  Animal Humane Society
  Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preventing Worms

1
Give your puppy preventative medication. The primary goal with worm infestations is prevention. Giving your pet monthly medications can go a long way in keeping your puppy happy, healthy and worm free.
- Be aware that most heartworm preventative medications contain general de-wormers, so this may help prevent and control other types worms such a hook-, whip-, and tapeworms.^{[14]
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  Animal Humane Society
  Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
  Go to source} You’ll need a prescription from your vet for heartworm medications, but these are relatively inexpensive and can keep your puppy from requiring expensive treatments for heartworm or other worms.^{[15]
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- Make sure to give your puppy her medication every month at the same time. If you find that you can’t afford the medication talk to your vet about a possible payment plan. If you forget to give her the medication, administer it as soon as you remember.
2
Maintain good hygiene practices. Keeping your puppy and her environment clean is another key component of prevention.^{[16]
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Animal Humane Society
Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
Go to source} Picking up your puppy’s stool and keeping common and yard areas clean can help minimize the risk of worm infestations.
- Remove and seal your puppy’s feces in a plastic bag. Dispose of the waste in a place that other animals or children can’t access.
- Clean any common areas where your puppy or other pets defecate, such as a litter box or when an animal has had an accident.
- Avoid dead or wild animals and their excrements. Try and keep your pet from eating wild and/ or dead animals, such as mice, raccoons, or deer because these can carry worms.^{[17]
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  Research source} Keep your puppy away from other animals’ feces, too, as this can also carry worms.
- Consider hiring a professional company to clean your yard of feces if you do not want to do this.
3
Control and manage fleas. Worms are a common result of flea infestations on your pet. Find solutions to control fleas in both indoor and outdoor areas to promote your pets health and prevent worms.^{[18]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Administer topical or oral products to your pet to control fleas on their body. You can use prescription treatments from your vet or buy one over-the-counter at a pet store.
- Clean your home thoroughly by vacuuming and spraying insecticides on furniture, baseboards, windowsills, and carpeted areas.
- Realize that outdoor treatments generally aren’t necessary if you control the indoor environment. If you do have a bad flea infestation outside, consider hiring a professional to remove them.^{[19]
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  University of California Integrated Pest Management Program
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Treating Worm Infestations

1
Schedule an appointment with your vet. In addition to yearly checkups that can detect worm infestations, it’s very important see your vet if you suspect or detect any signs of worms in your puppy. Your vet can definitely diagnose what type of worms your puppy has and give her proper and timely treatment before the infestation leads to more serious conditions.
- Call your vet’s office if you have any questions about worms. If your dog has had prior worm infestations, let the office staff know that you’ve noticed the signs again.
- Remember that some worm infestations, especially heartworm and hookworm, can be fatal to puppies, so don’t wait to see your vet for treatment.
- Be aware that although there are many over-the-counter de-wormers, many won’t kill worms such as tapeworms. Treatment thus requires a prescription from your vet.^{[20]
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2
Give your puppy medication for most worms. Depending on the diagnosis, your puppy will most likely need a medicated de-wormer to get rid of her worms. Follow the instructions of your vet to ensure that you completely knock out the infestation. In addition, your puppy may get:
- Heartworm preventative medication that also containers a general de-wormer.^{[21]
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- Combination parasite medications, such as Sentry HC, that can treat tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm in one tablet.
- Oral or injected praziquantel for tapeworms.^{[22]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
3
Undergo treatment for heartworm. Unlike other worm infestations, heartworm often requires more in depth treatment than a medication. Although prevention is the best way to control heart worm, your puppy’s vet may prescribe the hospitalization and the following to stabilize and treat your puppy for heartworm:
- Restricted exercise, to minimize the rate of damage to the heart and lungs
- Treatment for related conditions
- Surgery
- Medication, including pain relievers
- Repeat testing after treatment
- Preventative medication.^{[23]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can a pregnant dog pass worms in her poop?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes. Pregnancy is a strain on the immune system, and is a common time for worms that are dormant in the body to hatch out. However, not all wormers are safe for pregnant dogs, as effects on the unborn puppies are not known, and the possibility of birth defects cannot be ruled out. Speak to your vet, who can supply a safe wormer.
Question

I gave my puppy an OTC worm medicine, but it didn't work. What can I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Most OTC worm medications are effective against common worms, such as roundworms. They tend not to be work against tapeworms and certain other worms. It sounds like you need a broad-spectrum wormer that is effective against tapeworms, which your vet can supply.