Most puppies have worms when they are born, that they contracted from their mother. Fleas and worms are another health concern that can cause a variety of problems. New puppy owners have to deal with this as both part of their puppy's care and the duration of their dogs' life. Worms are nasty parasites that usually live in a puppy's digestive system, but some do invade the heart or other organs. Puppies experience problems ranging from anemia and vomiting or, in the case of heartworm, even death if left untreated. After a veterinarian identifies the problem, treatment is normally very effective and straightforward.

 

Worms

Spread by fleas, tapeworm is a very common type of worm found in puppies. These segmented, flat worms absorb nutrients through the skin by hooking its teeth into the puppy's intestine. You find segments of the tapeworm that breaks off and looks like rice or sawdust-like flakes (which actually contain thousands of tapeworm eggs) in the puppy's feces, or the hair around its anus. Several veterinary products kill the tapeworm effectively in one or two treatments.

A very tiny worm, the hookworm is a nasty creature that travels to the puppy's intestine by penetrating its skin. Diagnosed by a fecal exam, prescribed medication will soon cure the problem.

Roundworms are spaghetti-like worms that mothers can pass on to their unborn puppies. These worms are able to live in a cyst stage outside the puppy's body. Children and adults can become infected with roundworms if they encounter infected feces or soil. Children are at higher risk, because they are more likely to put their hands near their mouth and after playing with the puppy, should wash their hands. To detect roundworm in your puppy, it is necessary to have a fecal examination done by your veterinarian. If infected, the vet will prescribe medication that cures the problem rapidly.

The most serious and deadly of all are heartworms, which mosquitoes transmit. These nasty worms live in the heart and arteries of a puppy's lungs. Common symptoms of heartworm are difficulty breathing, a cough, and vomiting. There are a few treatments available for a puppy infected with heartworm, but prevention is certainly the best way to keep your puppy healthy. There are topical and oral drugs available, that effectively prevent this disease. Heartworm screening is necessary for all puppies and dogs.


 

Fleas