The Types of Worm your Cat or Dog might have

We’ve already written about how to control worms with your cat and dog this week, and now Animal Friends wants to help you understand the different worms your pet can contract. There are many different strains of worms that can be contracted through different means, and all of them have differing symptoms of infection, so to be sure of what your pet might have, take a look at our guide and consult your vet for further information and treatment. 

 

The different types of Worm    

There are several types of worm that can affect your cat and dog through various means, and unfortunately some of them have the possibility of being transferred to humans, so if you have children you will need to take extra care in the prevention of worms and educating your child in how to stay uninfected.

The main types of worm you need to look out for in your pets are the roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm and whipworms. Both hook and whip worms are more commonly found in dogs than cats, and only puppies can be born with a roundworm infection already present, but both cats and dogs are at risk.

 

Roundworms

Roundworms are a very common internal parasite found in both dogs and cats, but can be a danger at any age. Kittens and puppies are most at risk if the parents have an infestation, and you should immediately clear any excrement from the local environment as unfortunately the roundworm eggs are transmitted through stools and young kittens/puppies can often find other animals excrement an attractive food choice. By stopping this behaviour and clearing any mess up immediately you can drastically reduce the risk of an infestation.

Roundworms may be found in your dog’s stool or vomit. They can grow to about 7 inches in length and have a spaghetti-like appearance. If this type of infestation is not detected early and is allowed a chance to develop, a build-up of worms in the intestines can cause an obstruction which may result in death. The symptoms of a severe infestation are: pot-belly appearance, diarrhoea, vomiting, a dull coat and weight loss.

 

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are another internal parasite that is contracted when the animal ingests an infected flea, or a wild animal that has fleas or a tapeworm infection itself. These infestations are usually only shown via abdominal pain, nervousness, severe itching around the anus, vomiting and weight loss, but the main sign that you should look out for are segments of the tapeworms usually in the fur around the animal’s anus. These are what transmit the eggs and should be disposed of immediately. Humans can be affected by tapeworm, however not directly from the pet. Should your pet contract a tapeworm infestation, consult your vet for advice immediately.

 

Hookworms

Like Roundworm, Hookworm lives in the intestines and can also be transmitted to humans. Hookworms can affect a dog at any age. It is a small, thin worm that hooks on to the intestinal wall and sucks the blood from its victim, which causes anaemia and perhaps death. Due to their sharp teeth, they also cause bleeding in the intestines. Hookworms are not visible by the naked eye, therefore should be diagnosed by a vet. As with roundworm, hookworms also live and grow to adulthood in the intestines. An animal infected with hookworm would experience bloody stool, anaemia, weight loss, pale gums, diarrhoea and low energy level. Skin irritation can be a sign of a severe infestation. 

Hookworms can be transmitted to humans by penetration of the skin, making it is possible for people to become infected simply by walking barefoot on infected soil. Hookworms, when transmitted to humans, can cause bleeding in the intestines along with abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Hookworm infestation can kill your puppy or kitten before the worm is ever detected. This is why it is so important to keep up with veterinary visits and exams.

 

Whipworms

Whipworms are long, thin (whip-shaped) worms that live in the colon and are not visible by the naked eye. They attach themselves to the intestinal walls and feed off of them which, in turn, cause intestinal bleeding. Common symptoms of whipworm infestation are anaemia, weight loss, flatulence, diarrhoea with blood or mucus in the stool and lack of energy. Whipworm eggs remain highly infectious for many years, and whipworms are more commonly found in dogs, especially in areas where many dogs congregate (such as kennels). These infestations are not very regularly deadly for the dog, but they do cause a lot of irritation and can be very difficult to eradicate, as the symptoms for whipworm are common with other infestations, making identifying a whipworm infestation very difficult.

 

Consult your Vet

There are plenty of over the counter worming medicines that you can purchase, however it is strongly advised that you seek the advice of a vet before starting any kind of medical treatment. You should keep your pet on a regular worming treatment, and read more about worming your cat and dog in our helpful article here.