Intestinal Parasites in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

The idea of worms and other parasites living in your dog might give you the heebie-jeebies, but the truth is that intestinal parasites are common in dogs. Puppies are more likely to show obvious symptoms of intestinal parasitism, while infected adult dogs sometimes appear completely normal. The good news is that most intestinal parasites in dogs are easily diagnosed and treated.

In this FAQ article, we’ll answer your common questions about dog intestinal parasites.

Q1: What are the most common intestinal parasites in dogs?

The most common intestinal parasites in dogs include:

Different parasites will affect the digestive system in different ways. For example, roundworms feed on the nutrients in the food your dog is digesting, and large amounts of roundworms in dogs can cause blockages in the intestinal tract. Hookworms, on the other hand, actually attach to the intestinal wall and feed on the dog’s blood.

Puppies are especially vulnerable to certain parasites, such as coccidia and roundworms, and are more likely to show symptoms than adult dogs.

Q2: What are the symptoms of intestinal parasites in dogs?

The following are symptoms of intestinal parasites in dogs:

There has long been an assumption that butt-scooting is one of the main symptoms of worms in dogs. Tapeworm segments leaving the anus may cause itchiness of the anal region; however, scooting and licking the rear end are more common in dogs with anal sac issues or allergies than in dogs with worms. Don’t assume a scooting dog has worms.

Remember, symptoms of intestinal parasites are more common in puppies than they are in adults. It’s common for adult dogs to have intestinal parasites with no obvious symptoms or to only develop mild signs. If an adult dog has severe symptoms, intestinal parasites should still be ruled out, but other considerations like viral infections, systemic disease, or dietary indiscretion should be considered, as well.

Q3: How do dogs get intestinal parasites?

Dogs can get intestinal parasites in several ways, including:

Parasites are very common in the environment. Transmission is more likely at parks, kennels, shelters, or daycare facilities, especially if sanitation procedures are lax. Some parasites may be transmitted by wildlife, as well, so backyards can serve as a source of transmission.

Q4: How are intestinal parasites diagnosed?

If there are visible parasites in dog poop, they’re usually roundworms or tapeworm segments. A veterinarian can diagnose these visually if they’re present.

A test called a fecal float, which involves centrifuging a sample and looking at a slide under a microscope, is performed to look for fecal eggs. The fecal float can easily detect coccidia, roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms in dogs. Giardia is difficult to detect on fecal flotation, but there are other quick fecal tests your veterinarian can run to detect this parasite.

Parasites often shed intermittently, so repeat testing may be recommended to double-check for parasite eggs. In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend sending a fecal sample to a reference laboratory for more specialized testing.

Stool testing is routine, and regular fecal screening is important, even in dogs who seem healthy. Dogs can continue to shed intestinal parasites into the environment, even without symptoms. Testing helps identify these carriers so that the parasites can be treated.

Q5: How are intestinal parasites treated?

Dog deworming medications will be prescribed based on the specific parasite identified in your dog’s stool. Some dogs may require multiple treatments to eliminate the parasite.

You may need to consider environmental decontamination as part of treatment. For example, if there are fleas in your home, your dog is likely to contract tapeworms again even after you’ve treated them for tapeworms. Flea control is an essential part of tapeworm treatment and prevention.

If your dog has severe signs, like uncontrolled vomiting or dehydration, they may need supportive care, such as anti-nausea medications or fluid treatments. Surgery may be required in the case of an intestinal blockage from roundworms, but this is rare.

After treatment, follow up fecal testing may be recommended to ensure the treatment was effective. Over-the-counter products may not treat all parasites effectively, so it’s important to follow your veterinarian’s deworming recommendations.

Q6: How can owners prevent intestinal parasites in dogs?

Dog owners can prevent intestinal parasites in their pets by:

  1. Using vet-recommended parasite prevention year-round, including flea prevention
  2. Picking up feces promptly
  3. Preventing the dog from eating feces or wildlife
  4. Preventing the dog from drinking water which may be contaminated by feces, such as puddles in dog parks or streams along hiking trails
  5. Scheduling regular veterinary exams that include fecal screening
  6. Asking daycares, kennels, and other places they frequent about sanitation protocols

Fecal testing is important, even in dogs who take prevention, to ensure that the parasite preventatives are effective. Resistance to preventatives is a growing concern in veterinary medicine.

Although intestinal parasites in dogs are common, they’re usually manageable with prompt diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms can be nonexistent or mild, especially in adult dogs, but these worms can also cause more serious illness, especially in puppies.

If you’re noticing diarrhea or soft stools, vomiting, weight loss, a slender appearance, or visible worms in the stool, it’s important to contact a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. With regular use of vet-recommended parasite preventatives, the avoidance of exposure risks, and routine fecal screening, you can keep your dog healthy and free of intestinal parasites.