Common UK Worms In Dogs

Pet owners will be all too aware of worms in dogs and the problems they cause. In the UK there are two parasites which are most common known as the roundworm and the tapeworm. Puppies are most prone to roundworm infestation and adult dogs to tapeworms. Here is an introduction to both.

Roundworms will normally have infested a puppy before it is even born and almost certainly shortly after birth. They are tiny and resemble short lengths of spaghetti. When they have reached maturity, which happens quickly, they live in the intestines of the dog and feed off the contents. Feeding off the dog’s partially digested food means that the infested dog does not receive all the nutrients from what he eats. Given that serious infestations can lead to dozens of worms being present at any one time, it’s easy to see why undernourishment should become a problem. Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea and a dull coat are other possible symptoms. Some roundworm infestations are symptomless. A swollen abdomen is often present in infested puppies. Serious infestations can cause a puppy’s death by intestinal blockage, so it is fair to assume that every puppy is infested and to treat them accordingly.

In the UK, tapeworms are the second common type of worms in dogs. Looking a lot like ribbons, they are made up of segments. Once mature, each segment is released, full of eggs and passed via the dog’s anus. Tapeworms rely on another host animal so that they may complete their life cycle. It is normally the flea, which must ingest the egg and later be swallowed accidentally by the dog. The adult tapeworm anchors itself onto the intestine wall and feeds on blood. Unsurprisingly, an infestation of this type of worms in dogs can cause anaemia amongst other problems. Because of the way the tapeworm’s life cycle is completed, treating dogs for fleas is as important as worming them.