What are roundworms?
Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite seen in veterinary practices. Roundworms are white parasites one inch or more in lenght that live in the small intestine of dogs and cats. Mature female roundworms lay eggs that are passed in the pet’s stool. Roundworm eggs are extremely resistant to adverse conditions and may contaminate the environement for years.
Is roundworm infection serious? What do these worms due to my pet?
Signs of roundworm infected include an unhealthy appearance, diarrhea, vomiting and a distended abdomen (a pot belly). These signs are most severe in puppies and kittens, and can be life-threatening.
Where does my pet get them from?
Pets squire roundworm infections in several ways. Cats, especially, may ingest eggs when they groom themselves after spending time in the yard or near contaminated litter pans. Both dogs and cats may acquire roundworms by eating insects and animals that have been infected with immature roundworms called larvae. Such animals include rodents, rabbits, birds and some farm animals.
Many experts believe that the most significant route of roundworm infection is from mother to offspring. In dogs, roundworm larvae cross the placenta and infect puppies before they are born. Roundworm larvae in both dogs and cats can be transmitted to puppies and kittens through the mother’s milk.
Can I get roundworms?
People can be infected with roundworm larvae. This infection, called visceral larva migrans, occurs most commonly in children who eat dirt contaminated with roundworm eggs.
How do I find out if my pet is infected?
Bayside Animal Hospital will do an intestinal parasite screening which consists of receiving a sample of your pet’s feces either with a loop or from the yard. The fecal sample will be spun down in a centrifuge and then placed on a slide. The slide will then be read by a trained technician to look for presence of roundworm eggs.
If my pets internal parasite screening is positive, what is the treatment plan?
Roundworm infections are treated with dewormers; however, two treatments are necessary because of the parasite’s life cycle. Diarrhea may be treated with medications that coat and protect the intestine and reduce intestinal spasms.
Deworming medication includes 3-5 days of Strongid-T oral liquid or Panacur Granules that can be sprinkled over your pets food. The medication choice of the veterinarian will need to be repeated in 3 weeks. A recheck intestinal parasite screening will need to be done 3 weeks after the final dose of medication to make sure the infection has cleared.
Does my pet need to be on a special diet during treatment?
If your pet has roundworms, your veterinarian may suggest a dietary change based on your pet’s age and body condition, the degree of illness caued by roundworms, and the presence or absence of disease in other organs and body systems. Debilitated patients may benefit from foods with increased levels of protein and energy during the recovery process. Typically with mild infections, pets may remain on their normal diet plan.
What can I do to protect my pet from reinfestation after treatment?
Control of roundworms should be aimed at reducing the number of infective eggs in the pet’s environment. Feces should be removed daily from litter pans and exercise areas, such as yards and kennels. Litter pans should be washed routinely and allowed to dry in direct sunlight.
Because dogs and cats can acquire roundworm infections by eating insects and other animals, scavenging and hunting behaviors should be controlled as much as possible.
Regular intestinal parasite screenings of your pet’s stool is the best method to ensure that your pet has not been reinfected with roundworms.
*Thanks to catnmore.com for the awesome microscope picture!
