subject: Screening Puppies With Worms in Their Stools [print this page] Screening Puppies With Worms in Their Stools
Puppies are prone to several types of intestinal worms which may, or may not, produce clear symptoms. Sometimes you will see worms in your puppy's stool or notice other signs of worms, such as itching, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, dull coat or pale gums. Puppies with worms in their stools need to be evaluated to determine which type of parasite is affecting the animal.
A veterinarian can perform a stool test for puppies showing worms in their poop, but even if there is no evidence, these tests are recommended as part of routine care. In order to have a stool test performed, you will need to bring a sample of stool passed within the last 24 hours to your veterinarian's office. The most common types of screening are fecal flotation and fecal smear. Fecal flotation is the test used to identify worms or their eggs, while fecal smear is used to test for single-celled parasites. These tests should be performed for all puppies with worms in their poop, or with any other signs of worm infestation. Stool tests are also part of routine examinations. Since there are often no visible signs of worms, all puppies and dogs should be tested for worms at least once a year.
If you notice worms in your puppy's stool, you may be able to identify the type of worm the puppy has. The most common types of intestinal worms are: hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms.
Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that are usually not visible in the host's stool. However, the stool may appear black or tarry. If your puppy has hookworms, you may also notice pale gums or lethargy from anemia, dull coat, diarrhea, vomiting or slow growth. Tapeworms are small worms that look like grains of rice. You may see these in your puppy's stool or around the anus. Itching is the most common symptom of tapeworms. Roundworms are long, spaghetti-like worms that can often be seen in a puppy's stool or vomit. Roundworms cause abdominal bloating, weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting and dull coat.
If your puppy is infected you may want to investigate natural, alternative remedies that have been shown to help puppies with worms in their stool. Fortunately there are various options to consider which can help your pet get rid of such nasty invaders while giving you peace of mind. Herb of grace and cloves for example, are among the most effective herbs for worms. Often they are combined with others to create potent formulas that cleanse the blood in a safe way.
