Intestinal worms in cats and dogs

Treat all pets in the household at the same time

DOGS and CATS:  Treat puppies at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age. Puppies can be born with round worms. After 12 weeks of age, treat monthly until 6 months of age, and thereafter treat every 3 months for life. 

Pregnant Animals:  Worm the bitch and queen prior to mating, and shortly after giving birth.  

The best Allwormer to use is Drontal. Check the animals’ body weight before dosing

Types of Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Cats

ROUNDWORMS:
These are the most commonly occurring worms in pups and kittens. They are 5 - 15cm long and live in the intestines. In large numbers, they can cause diarrhoea and even bowel obstructions. Heavily infested dogs and cats are thin, weak, pot bellied, with a dull coat and eyes. Human infestation, although rare, is possible, especially in children - so ensure to worm regularly. 

HOOKWORMS: 
Signs of hookworm infestation are; pale gums due to chronic blood loss, diarrhoea (with blood in it) or digestive disturbances. 

TAPEWORMS:

This flat worm attaches to the wall of the intestine, and segments of its body are shed and passed in the faeces looking like grains of rice. They can cause itching around the anus. They require an intermediate host to pass from one animal to another, generally a flea but also small mammals. Dogs or cats that have fleas or eat small animals (mice and rabbits) or offal (all non-meat parts of a carcass) can become infected with the worm.

HYDATID TAPEWORMS:

Dogs can get Hydatid Tapeworms by eating offal or uncooked meat from a carcass such as a that of a sheep, cow, pig or kangaroo. Eggs are shed in the dogs’ faeces and can stick to their coat.

HEARTWORM is not an intestinal worm so requires separate treatment please see “Heartworm Disease".