It is possible for a puppy to actually be born with worms, if the mother is infected with a certain type at the time of birth. And because some worms may be hard to detect, it is important that you test and treat your puppy accordingly so that it can grow without the influence of a worm presence. Doing so can save the very life of your puppy.
There are different types of worms that can infect your puppy, so you should be aware of the different symptoms that your puppy may take on. The tapeworm is one of the more common types of worms, and is able to infect your puppy from one single flea. These are usually the easiest to spot, since you will likely see pupa in the stool of your puppy. This is a very clear sign of worms, and should not be ignored.
The second worm you should become familiar with is the roundworm. Roundworm is particularly dangerous because it can be spread to humans, usually children who tend to play with a puppy and roll around in the grass. You should teach your children proper hand washing techniques to help prevent this type of infection from spreading to them.
If you spot worms, or their symptoms, you should realize that it will take several applications of medicine to cure your puppy. While the first round of medication may kill all adult worms in the puppy’s system, it won’t always nullify the eggs that can survive the medication. Thus, you may have to wait until the eggs hatch and reapply medication.
Even if signs of worms go away, medication should be continued for a bit longer. You will need to consult a veterinarian to do a stool sample if you are going to verify that the puppy is free of worms. A veterinarian can also provide further consult if infections of a certain type of worm keep coming back even after medication is applied as instructed. Although they may be expensive, it is worth the cost to protect your puppy from the many health issues it would face.
Some medications may not be friendly to puppies, so you should read instructions carefully. Puppies are underdeveloped and may not be able to take stronger medications that adult canines can. Some types of dogs may need to vary medication amounts, so it is best to talk to a veterinarian or pet professional in your community for further information.
Final Thoughts
By not allowing your puppy treatment, you may hinder the growth of the puppy as it will lack nutrients that worms steal from it. You may also put its very life in danger as a result of waiting to administer treatment. As such, you should act immediately if you see symptoms arise from your puppy.