Deworming Puppy: How Often to Deworm a Puppy?

If you have a puppy or would like to add a fun ball of fur to your family, it’s important to know a few things about your fuzzy youngster’s health. In addition to regular check-ups with your veterinarian and following a vaccination protocol, you should also be aware that deworming your puppy is also an important part of keeping your best friend healthy and happy. It’s critical to follow a regular deworming schedule for your puppy to deal with intestinal parasites and to prevent future health problems down the road.

So How Often Should you Deworm your Puppy?

Depending on where you live, consult your veterinarian regarding the best deworming schedule for your pup. Some geographic areas may differ in types of worms and intestinal parasites, and the required frequency of deworming may differ. However, the standard deworming schedule for puppies is as follows:

• Deworm at 2, 4, 6, and eight weeks old.
• Repeat at 12 and 16 weeks of age.
• Deworm again at six months and one year old.

READ MORE: How to tell How old a Puppy is?

What are the Signs That my Puppy Has Worms?

Puppies typically get worms from the mother, through larval (immature worms) migration in the uterus or nursing, or from ingesting larvae in the soil. Puppies can also get worms through contact with or ingesting worm ova (eggs). Typical signs of worms in a young dog include the following:

• Rough hair coat;
• Diarrhea;
• Malnutrition;
• Anemia;
• Gastrointestinal obstructions.

Worm infestations in puppies interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing weight loss and malnutrition. Also, some worms survive on blood meals, causing a low red blood cell count and anemia in puppies. Heavy parasite and worm loads can also cause GI obstructions that may require surgery.

Things to Consider When You Plan to Deworm Your Puppy

When deworming your puppy, it’s best to have this done under the guidance of your veterinarian as your veterinarian can recommend the best practices for intestinal parasite control and prevention. Also, puppies can contract different types of worms, and the treatment differs based on the type of worm. Your veterinarian can identify species of worms based on a fecal sample.

Where to buy dewormer

Dewormers, or anthelmintics, can be purchased virtually everywhere, either online or at a pet store. Your veterinarian can also provide you with various dewormers based on the type of parasite.

Kinds of dewormers

Dewormers for puppies come in a variety of forms:

• Oral liquids;
• Oral powders;
• Oral tablets.

Most veterinarians recommend liquid dewormers for puppies as they are easier to administer orally, and many puppies like the taste. For example, the roundworm dewormer Pyrantel Pamoate comes in a banana liquid form that puppies like. Powders are also popular as owners can sprinkle the powder on kibble or canned food. However, it is really up to the owner and the puppy as to which form is best to get rid of dog worms.

Does Puppy Size Matter?

The answer to this question is yes. Dewormer doses are calculated based on puppy weight, and your pup must receive the proper dose. Underdosing will fail to get rid of intestinal parasites, and overdosing may harm your puppy and cause lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, and even seizures.

Common Puppy Worms to Worry About

There are typically three types of worms that are seen in puppies, young dogs and adult dogs, and these include:

• Roundworms;
• Tapeworms;
• Heartworms.

The medications used to deworm puppies depends on the type of intestinal worms found in the dog’s feces.

Roundworms

Roundworms are long spaghetti-like worms that live in the GI tract and intestines and feed off partially digested food. Roundworms infestations in puppies can cause slower growth rates as the worms essentially steal nutrition from the host. Puppies can contract roundworms from the mother, or by ingesting soil contaminated with roundworm eggs. When a dog ingests roundworms eggs, the eggs hatch in the stomach, then migrate through the organs in the body, including the eye which can end in blindness.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are long, flatworms that live in the intestinal tract, and consist of two major species, the flea tapeworm (Diplylidium caninum) and hydatid tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus). The flea tapeworm is the most common in areas of the United States and Canada. Dogs with flea tapeworms contract the tapeworms while self-grooming, and once infected, the dog will pass tapeworm segments in the stool. These segments may stick to the hair around the rear-end, causing the urge to bite, lick, or “scoot.”

Dogs who contract the hydatid tapeworm become infested by ingesting eggs present in raw or undercooked meat. The dog consumes the eggs, which reach maturity in the intestines, and lays eggs that are passed in the stool. This tapeworm is particularly dangerous for humans because if a human ingests one of these eggs, the worms can migrate to the brain and other vital organs.

Heartworms

Unlike roundworms and tapeworms, heartworms make their home on the right side of the heart and the pulmonary artery. Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) is transmitted most commonly through the bite of the mosquito (the vector). When the mosquito bites a dog, it transfers the ova (eggs) of the heartworm into the bloodstream of the dog, where it grows and migrates to the heart. Untreated heartworm disease can be deadly, and cause congestive heart failure and death.

Heartworm prevention includes regular heartworm testing with a blood test and the use of either oral or injectible preventatives. Dog owners can opt for monthly Heartworm prevention in the form of a chewable tablet, or a 6-12 month injectable preventative. If you have questions about heartworm disease and how to keep your puppy healthy, consult your veterinarian.

How Often Should I Deworm Adult and Senior Dogs?

The answer to this question depends on the adult dog, geographic location, and lifestyle. For example, if you live on a farm with livestock, your veterinarian may recommend regular fecal testing and deworming. Dogs can contract roundworms and whipworms from horses and cattle by eating infested manure and can contract tapeworms from eating the carcasses of rabbits, birds, or rodents. As a result, a proper deworming protocol is crucial for your dog’s health, and you may have to deworm as much as once a month. Other dogs may only need a deworming once a year.

Another consideration is the overall health of your adult or senior dog. If your older dog has underlying health issues or is immune-compromised, she may be prone to complications caused by intestinal parasites such as diarrhea, GI malabsorption, or anemia. If you have questions about deworming in your adult or senior dog, consult your veterinarian.

READ MORE: How long is a Dog a Puppy?

How Do Dogs Get Worms?

Worms and other intestinal parasites in puppies are contracted either in the womb, through the mother’s milk, or through direct ingestion of ova (eggs) in the soil, food, or environment. The most common ways a dog may contract worms include the following:

• Eating worm larvae or eggs;
• Grooming;
• Behavior and lifestyle;
• Fleas;
• From mother to puppy.

Many intestinal parasites and worms are present in a dog’s stool and can infect other dogs and humans as well. As a result, it is important to always clean up after your dog and to follow a regular deworming schedule.

Are There Any Side Effects of Deworming a Puppy?

If you follow an appropriate deworming protocol and administer the proper dose, there should be no side effects to deworming your pup. However, if you have dewormed your puppy, keep an eye out for some reactions nd symptoms which include:

• Vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Lethargy;
• No appetite;
• Tremors or seizures;
• Slow heartbeat;
• Trouble standing.

If you observe any of the above side effects, contact your veterinarian immediately. In severe cases, hospitalization may be recommended.

As a dog owner, it’s important to be aware that certain breeds have a genetic mutation that makes them very sensitive to certain dewormers, especially ivermectin. For example, this mutation has been found in such breeds as the Australian Shepherd and Collie, and even the smallest dose of ivermectin can cause blindness, seizures, and even a coma. Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

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