Worm Treatment for Dogs

Frequency of Dog Worming

It's crucial to regularly worm your pets to maintain their health and protect your family. Generally, adult dogs and cats should be wormed every three months. However, in areas with higher risk or in households with young children, elderly or vulnerable adults a monthly worming might be necessary to prevent the spread of parasites.

Wormer Selection: Tailored to Your Pet's Needs

Choosing the right wormer involves considering your pet’s age, lifestyle, and health status. Our pharmacy offers a variety of wormers, each suited to different needs:

• Worming Tablets for Dogs: These are versatile and can be administered from as early as 2 weeks of age.
• Worming Liquid: Ideal for puppies from 2 weeks old, especially useful for dogs that are reluctant to take tablets. This can be easily mixed with their food.
• Worming Granules: A perfect alternative for dogs that refuse tablets, these can be blended with food and are suitable for puppies from 2 weeks old.
• Worming Paste: Specially formulated for smaller dogs and very young puppies, starting from 2 weeks of age.
• Worming Pregnant Bitches: While some tablets are safe for pregnant dogs, Panacur Liquid is recommended for use from day 40 of pregnancy until 2 days post-whelping for the best outcomes.

Our pharmacists are on hand to advise the best option for your pet.

Special Care for Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable to worms. A proactive worming schedule should start as early as 2 weeks old, continuing every two weeks until 12 weeks, and then monthly until six months old. This helps prevent roundworm infections, which can be particularly harmful to young pets.

Understanding Roundworms and Tapeworms in Dogs

Roundworms and tapeworms are common intestinal parasites in dogs that can affect their health and well-being. Here’s what you need to know:

• Roundworms: These are especially common in puppies. Infections can lead to symptoms like a pot-bellied appearance, poor growth, and digestive issues. Roundworms can also pose a health risk to humans, particularly children, through environmental contamination.
• Tapeworms: Typically transmitted through fleas or consuming infected prey, tapeworms may not always cause noticeable symptoms in dogs but are visible as small, rice-like segments near the dog’s rear or in their faeces. Preventing flea infestations is key in controlling tapeworms.

Regular worming and maintaining good hygiene are essential in managing these parasites. Our range of products effectively targets both roundworms and tapeworms, ensuring your dog's health and reducing the risk of human infection.

Giardia in Dogs

Giardia in dogs is an intestinal infection caused by the Giardia parasite, typically contracted from contaminated water or feces. Symptoms include diarrhea, foul-smelling stool, and sometimes vomiting. Diagnosis is through fecal testing. Panacur (fenbendazole) is commonly used to treat Giardia in dogs, usually a dose of 1ml per 2kg bodyweight of dog for 3 days . The dosage is based on the dog's weight. Environmental cleaning is important to prevent reinfection. Always consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis.

Lungworm in Dogs

To control Filaroides Osleri Lungworm in dogs use Panacur Liquid 0.5ml per kg daily for 7 days.

The lungworm that is often associated with snails is caused by a parasitic worm called Angiostrongylus vasorum. This particular type of lungworm is a serious health concern for dogs, and all current treatments require a prescription from your vet

Human Health and Worms from Pets

Certain worms like Toxocara cani and Toxocara cati, found in pets, can also infect humans, leading to conditions like toxocariasis. This highlights the importance of regular pet worming and maintaining hygiene to prevent these parasites from affecting your family's health.

Proper Waste Disposal: A Simple Yet Effective Measure

Timely disposal of pet waste is critical in controlling worm transmission. Worm eggs can persist in the environment, posing risks to both pets and humans. Regular cleaning of pet areas and safe disposal of waste can significantly reduce these risks.

Comprehensive Parasite Control

Beyond worming, controlling fleas and ticks is vital for your pet’s health. These parasites can carry diseases and facilitate the spread of tapeworms. Our range of flea and tick treatments, including topical applications and environmental sprays, provides effective protection.

Further Information and Resources

For more detailed information on parasite management and effective worming strategies, visit our comprehensive guide here. Our experienced team is always available to offer personalised advice for your pet’s health needs.