Health: Worms

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Just about every dog on the planet is infested with worms to some degree. If they stay at low levels, your dog can build up immunity to them. But if the infestation reaches a certain point, worms can cause anemia, lethargy, poor appetite, and even death. Fortunately, almost all worms can be detected by a vet and treated with medication.

It seems there's no end to the kinds of worms out there (or in there). Among the most well known:

• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Whipworms
• Tapeworms
• Heartworms

There are others, including protozoans, flukes or trematodes, ascadis (a kind of roundworm), threadworms (also a roundworm), stomach worms (found mostly in the southeastern U.S.), eyeworms, and lungworms.

You've probably lost your appetite by now.

Causes

Symptoms

Each worm has a slightly different means of making its way into your dog's body and a different set of symptoms, some more serious than others.

Roundworms are transmitted when dogs eat dirt or feces contaminated with roundworm eggs. Nearly all puppies are born with roundworm--most mothers have dormant larvae in their tissue. These larvae come to life at the end of the pregnancy and migrate into the lungs of the new pups. At their worst, roundworms can cause liver damage or intestinal blockage, and even a light infection can result in a dull coat, dry skin, and a potbelly. (Humans can get roundworm, too, so--as if you need reminding--always  [Continued]