Dog Dewormers: When Parasites Invade Canine Stomachs

Talking about your dog’s poop probably isn’t tops on your list of conversation topics. And discussing WORMS in your dog’s poop? That’s less appealing. But intestinal parasites are a reality faced by every dog owner. And getting rid of those parasites is an important step in ensuring your dog can continue to play and lick your face safely. The medications used are known as dog dewormers. And while it’s tempting to skip the vet visit and buy them over-the-counter, you may want to hit the pause button. Because worms? They’re complicated (and gross).

Intestinal Parasites

Most people refer to intestinal parasites as “worms.” And many of them look like the worms you’re familiar with. Well, assuming you could see them. These nasty pests are TINY. They make themselves at home in different sections of your dog’s GI tract. And finding them requires a microscope.

The parasites undergo lengthy life cycles that involve one or two different hosts. The eggs are shed into the outside environment. And that’s where your dog picks them up. Even worse, YOU can pick them up, too. Many intestinal parasites are zoonotic. This means they’re every bit as happy in a human GI tract as they are a dog (or cat).

So getting your pup on a dog dewormer as soon as possible is critical – for EVERYONE’s health and safety.

Common “Worms”

In dogs, you can see dozens of intestinal parasites. The region you live in, the native wildlife found in the area, and the season of the year can determine the worms your dog may end up exposed to. This is why your vet will recommend a fecal exam at least twice a year. They’re looking for the eggs of the “worms.”

In general, though, the most common intestinal parasites include:

• Hookworms: As you might guess from the name, hookworms have hooks surrounding their “mouths.” They embed into the wall of the intestine and feed on your dog’s blood.
• Roundworms: Roundworms get their name from their round bodies. They’re large enough you can see them with the naked eye in your dog’s stool or vomit. They resemble strands of spaghetti.
• Protozoans: Coccidia, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia aren’t worms, but they ARE intestinal parasites. And they cause similar problems that require dog dewormers.
• Tapeworms: Dogs with fleas often have tapeworms. This is because tapeworms need fleas for their lifecycle. They form LONG segmented chains. You may see the segments as “grains of rice” in the stool or on your dog’s hind end.
• Whipworms: Whipworms hang out in the large intestine. The ends taper into fine points, allowing them to hook into place.

Non-Intestinal Parasites

Some people also think of a couple of other parasites when they reach for dog dewormers. And while you will see “worm” in their name, they aren’t intestinal parasites. (Parasites, yes, but you won’t find them in the GI tract) And attempting to treat them with over-the-counter medications WON’T work. It’s important to understand the difference.

• Heartworms: Odds are, you give your dog a monthly heartworm preventative (or your vet offers the ProHeart injection). The office requires a blood test before they refill your prescription. This is CRITICAL. They’re checking for microfilaria – the infant worms that live in the bloodstream. The adults? They hang out in – and destroy – the valves of the heart. Dog dewormers won’t touch heartworms. You need veterinary prescriptions and CAREFUL monitoring to do that.
• Lungworms: Lungworms confuse people because vets DO perform a fecal as part of the diagnosis. However, the worms live in the lungs (as you might guess). And, again, dog dewormers aren’t going to take care of these pests. You need stronger medications and the assistance of a vet.

Recognizing Intestinal Parasites

With the exception of roundworms (and the occasional tapeworm), you’ll never see the parasites living inside your dog. So how do you know they’re there?

First, if you have a puppy, the odds are high they have SOME kind of parasite. It’s normal. Deworming is part of their regular vet visits for the first year of growth.

But parasites can show up at ANY age. The eggs live outdoors. And it only takes a moment for your dog to step in the wrong spot of dirt (or eat it) to lead to problems.

And while you may not see the worms, you WILL see signs of problems:

• Reduced OR increased appetite (worms take away nutrients)
• Lethargy
• Vomiting/Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Round, swollen belly
• Scooting
• Licking hind end excessively
• Poor skin or coat health

Dog Dewormers

Dog dewormers are medications that work in one of two ways:

1. They dissolve the parasite
2. The compound causes paralysis of the sucker, forcing the parasite to release from the lining of the GI tract

Unfortunately, dewormers don’t work on the larval stages hanging around in your dog’s body – only the adults. This is why you’ll often see instructions to repeat dosing. You’re waiting for the larvae to transform into adults so the treatment works on them. Deworming ISN’T a quick process. And, in some cases, it’s getting LONGER.

Similar to fleas and ticks, worms are developing resistance to dog dewormers. This makes it more and more difficult to treat them. And that goes double if you’re using over-the-counter options and skipping the vet. The odds that you’ll succeed in eradicating the pests are LOW.

The Deworming Process

When you suspect your dog may have an intestinal parasite, you need to make an appointment with your vet. They’ll ask you to bring a fecal sample with you (in your usual poop bag is acceptable). If you don’t have a fresh sample, they’ll obtain one. They need a fresh stool sample to check for the eggs of the parasite under the microscope.

Those eggs are NOT visible to the naked eye. And even if you happen to see a roundworm or tapeworm segment? It’s entirely possible your dog has more than one parasite at the same time. (This is especially true for puppies) Plus, you won’t know how BAD the infestation is without the fecal exam.

Your vet will then prescribe a dog dewormer. The medication will target the results of the fecal exam. And they’ll ask you to return for a repeat exam. Because you may need to repeat the treatment, especially with heavy infestations. (Remember, dewormers can’t treat eggs or larvae)

Complicated Cases

Yes, prescription dog dewormers cost more. Plus, you need to pay for the visits and fecal exams. But parasites? They’re getting “smarter.” And over-the-counter medications AREN’T.

Throughout the southern U.S., hookworms have learned to defy the common drugs used to treat them. They’re wreaking havoc. Even the usual prescriptions aren’t effective. Now, you need to use COMBINATIONS. And it can take SIX MONTHS to eradicate an infestation. Failing to get started with a vet? That can land your dog in the hospital with anemia.

Our Greyhound came from a track in Florida. And she brought those very hookworms with her. For five months, we gave her two prescriptions, bagged EVERY poop (hookworms live in the soil for YEARS), and checked fecals monthly. She’s clear now, but it was a hefty undertaking. And not one we could have handled without her vet.

Choosing a Dog Dewormer

If your dog’s been diagnosed with intestinal parasites, your best chance for success lies with the medication your vet prescribed. You CAN ask for a script and use it to find a lower cost with an online pharmacy if you choose. But if you want to turn to over-the-counter dog dewormers, have some reasonable expectations. They may not work. And you’re going to need to take these considerations in mind when shopping:

• Safety: You need to read ALL of the product information. Is the dog dewormer safe for your dog’s age? If you have a pregnant dog, is it acceptable for her to receive it?
• Side Effects: Every medication has side effects. You need to know the most common issues the drug you’re choosing may lead to. You should also research possible interactions with your dog’s current medications and supplements.
• Formulation: You’ll find dog dewormers sold as granules, tablets, and liquids. They contain the same medications, so you need to decide which formula works best for your dog. Because if they don’t get all of it? It REALLY won’t work.
• Size: Dog dewormers work based on your pup’s weight. You need an accurate weight to calculate the dose. And if the product you picked doesn’t cover that size? Skip it. Doubling up ISN’T the way to go.
• Dosing: Make sure you read the instructions carefully. Some dog dewormers need multiple doses in one day. Others are once a day for consecutive days.
• Medication: No dewormer works on EVERY parasite. And if you don’t know what you’re dealing with, things will really get tricky. Combination formulas will stand a better chance of working on more infestations, but there are multiple species of each kind. You need reasonable expectations.

“Natural” Dog Dewormers

Some people recommend the use of “natural” dog dewormers. These can include herbs, fruits, or other plants. A few of the suggestions (such as garlic) are toxic to dogs and should be avoided. And none of them work.

Vets find owners who turn to these options return to the clinic repeatedly with no easing of their dog’s symptoms. When intestinal parasites have the potential to land your dog in the hospital, your best bet is to focus on medications with a proven track record. You’ll keep them safe. And if your pup has a zoonotic parasite? You’ll also keep your family safe.

The Best Dog Dewormers

Realistically, the best dog dewormers come with a veterinary prescription. Intestinal parasites are tricky – and getting trickier. There’s no magic pill that handles all of the possible pests out there your dog may encounter. But vets remain at the forefront of medicine, where they’re working to combat these microscopic nightmares. They’ll develop a treatment plan that helps your dog get healthy as quickly as possible.

If you opt for an over-the-counter option, play things as safe as possible. Keep your yard clean to prevent reinfestation. Always wash your hands and discourage your dog from licking you. Monitor for any changes that may represent a side effect. And if you don’t see improvement? Get to your vet right away.