Worming |
Typical roundworms e.g. Toxocara canis |
Most puppies and kittens are born with roundworms, having acquired the infestation from their mothers. The worms are up to 15 cm long, whitish in colour and resemble a piece of string. They live in the intestines and shed thousands of tiny eggs which pass out in the faeces and can survive for months, or even years, in the environment. Cats and dogs become re-infected by directly swallowing eggs or indirectly by eating a rodent which has swallowed eggs. Roundworm eggs also pose a danger to children; if swallowed there is a risk of eye damage. |
| Tapeworms can grow up to 60 cm long and are flat or ribbon-like in appearance. They also live in the small intestine and you may see cream-coloured segments moving on the fur around the anus. The segments contain eggs which are swallowed by an intermediate host such as a rodent or flea. Dogs and cats become re-infested by eating rodents or by swallowing fleas while grooming. |
 Tapeworm segments e.g. Taenia taeniaeformis |
Heavy worms infestations will cause vomiting, diarrhoea and failure to thrive.
Puppies and kittens should be wormed every 2 weeks from weaning until 3 months of age. Adult dogs and cats should be wormed every 3 months and treated for fleas to control tapeworms.
We stock a range of safe and very effective worming products and can advise you on the best treatment for your pet. Please note that most of the effective products are Prescription Only Medicines which means we can only dispense them for pets which are registered with our practice and have been examined by one of our veterinary surgeons in the past 12 months.
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