MARY JO NAGY | Pets Worm infestations require vet's help

Let's talk worms.
Not the nice, wiggly earthworms that help your garden but the kind of worms that infest your dog or cat.
Pets are susceptible to a number of internal parasites like hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm, heartworm and whipworms. Your pet can become easily infested. And worms can be picked up by licking the ground, nosing an infected pile of feces, drinking contaminated water or passed on from the mother dog or cat to the offspring before birth.
Worm infestations can cause a variety of symptoms like diarrhea, possibly with blood, weight loss, vomiting, general poor appearance, dry hair and even death in severe cases.
This is why a stool sample brought to your veterinarian is important on a yearly basis. Only roundworm and tapeworms can be seen with the unaided eye. Others are so small they can only be seen with a microscope, and early diagnosis is important.
Not all worms respond to the same treatment, and no single wormer works against all kinds of parasites. Most store-bought wormers are quite ineffective in removing worms. And most do not kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian will prescribe the best kind of medication for the worms detected in the stool sample.
The types
It is important to take care of this problem quickly since some worms, like roundworms, can be transmitted to humans.
URoundworms are seen in a large number of puppies and kittens that are born with roundworm larvae. The worms make their way to the intestinal tracts and start shedding eggs, which are passed along in the stool. Puppies will usually have a potbellied appearance. Roundworms can infest adult dogs and cats too. A female roundworm can produce 200,000 eggs in one day and exist in the soil for years. These worms can be transmitted to humans as well.
UHookworms are more common in dogs than in cats. These small thin worms fasten to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood. This will make puppies severely anemic and a severe hookworm infestation can kill.
UWhipworms are more often seen in dogs than cats. They live in the first section of the large intestine and they are hard to detect. If a dog has chronic weight loss and passes stool that seems to have a covering of mucous and/or lives in a kennel situation, then it may have whipworms. Whipworms are a real nuisance for the dog and veterinarian to diagnose. Continued re-infestation is common.
UTapeworms are in dogs and cats that ingest fleas or that like to hunt and eat wildlife or rodents infested with fleas or tapeworm. Tapeworms can be 4 to 6 inches in length -- however, the last segments that break off are what are usually seen in the dog or cats' stool. These tiny segments can be seen in the pets' fur around the anus and may look like dried grains of rice. Tapeworms cannot be killed by generic over-the-counter wormers. You must see your veterinarian for prescription-only treatment.
UHeartworm can be found in dogs and cats. It is more prevalent in dogs. Heartworm is carried by mosquitoes that bite and infect your pet. The worms collect in the heart and lungs, where they can cause permanent damage. If left untreated they will cause death. Symptoms can include a dog with a thin appearance with a constant cough. All dogs regardless of age, sex and breed can get heartworm. Prevention is easier than treating an infected case by giving your dog a monthly heartworm pill or a 6 month injection. Consult your veterinarian for your preventative.
Last, I'll mention ringworm, which is not really a worm but a parasitic fungus. It is mostly seen in cats. It grows on the surface of the skin and nails. Classic appearance is red, hairless rings, patches of hair stubble and scaly skin. It is highly contagious in multiple cat situations and can be easily transmitted to humans. Cleanliness is a must when treating ringworm.
Prevention is best
Prevention of worms is your best defense. Remove feces from litter boxes and back yards daily. You do not want to contribute to the recontamination of soil or the litter box. Do not prescribe your own wormers or mix wormers. Over-the-counter medications are not that effective in riding the pet of worms. Always consult your veterinarian.
XMary Jo Nagy is a volunteer with Angels for Animals.