Regardless of how careful you are as a pet owner, intestinal parasites seem to be a very common problem in dogs. Whether it’s from eating an infected stool, uncooked meat, raw foods, playing in soil contaminated with worms or he got them from a flea/mosquito, worms cause several health problems, some more severe than others. Because prevention is relatively difficult, your best bet is to learn the telltale signs and start the treatment as soon as possible.
The following are some of the common symptoms of worms in dogs.
1. Coughing
In case your doggy is infested with heartworms, then it is very likely that it will start coughing excessively in the advanced stages. Coughing is also an advanced stage symptom for roundworms and hookworms infections.
2. Vomiting
Almost all infestations will cause nausea and vomiting in dogs. Take note that in the case of roundworms, the parasites are likely to be seen in the canine’s vomit.
3. Diarrhea
Diarrhea and the traces of blood in your dog’s stool usually represent indicators of hookworms. Diarrhea is not necessarily a symptom of worm infestation, and it should be interpreted along with other typically signs.
4. Low energy levels
Because intestinal parasites are drawing the nutrients in the digestive tract, a dog could display lethargic behavior and become less active than usual.
5. Potbelly appearance
In case you notice that your loyal companion’s abdomen is swollen and has a potbelly appearance, then chances are he has worms. This particular symptom is very common in puppies that picked up the parasites from their mother.
6. Changes in appetite
Dogs that display a sudden change in appetite and present no interest in foods they loved before are likely infested with roundworms. When this symptom is accompanied by rapid weight loss, the dog might have whipworms or tapeworms. An excessive appetite increase is also an indicator that the canine has contracted worms.
7. Scooting
The scooting behavior is a common symptom displayed by canines suffering from problems with the anal glands. However, it is not uncommon for dogs that picked up worms to rub their posteriors across the floor to relieve the local itchiness.
8. Dull coat
Healthy dogs usually have a shiny and healthy-looking coat. Therefore, if you notice that its fur begins to dry out and looks dull, then there’s a fair chance it picked up a form of worms.
9. Skin Irritations
Sudden loss of hair and rashes on the skin is a clear sign of worm infestation. In the event when you find skin irritations, it usually means the infestation is severe and has reached an advanced stage.
10. The worms are visible in the fecal matter
If your dog has a tapeworm infestation, then there are high chances you will notice small moving segments in the fur around the anal area. Roundworms are often visible in the animal’s stool. Therefore, if you have reasons to suspect a worm infestation based on the aforementioned symptoms, then check the fecal matter to get a confirmation.