I’m sure we can all agree, worms are disgusting.

While the warmer weather sees a renewal of so many beautiful and wondrous things, it seems a cruel
juxtaposition to have it also rejuvenate the dreaded worm season.

As pet owners, it is up to us to protect our pets from parasites. When you see your veterinarian this Spring be sure to ask about intestinal worm prevention, but in the meantime here are some details:

There Are 4 Common Types of Intestinal Worms

• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Whipworms
• Tapeworms

The best way to look for worms is for a veterinarian to run a stool sample through testing, particularly since
only roundworms and tapeworms can ever be seen by the naked eye. For a slightly less horrid visual of
what these species look like, see the image below. If, however, you want to see what they really look like,
a Google image search for “pet intestinal worms” is all you need to ensure that you immediately pick up the
phone and book your next vet appointment right away.

Symptoms
The primary indicators of a potential worm infestation include the following:

• diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• weight loss
• dry and brittle hair
• vomiting
• no symptoms at all

It is not uncommon for a case of worm infestation to lie in waiting for for long periods of time, which can
cause a problem specific to those who have not spayed or neutered their pet... When a mother becomes
stressed due to the later stages of pregnancy the parasites will wake from their dormancy and infest both
the mother and the yet unborn puppies or kittens, an unfortunate incident that happens more frequently than
you might think.

Treatment
Worms cannot be killed easily by nonprescription medications, or most times, not at all with this course of treatment. It is essential to visit your veterinarian for a stool sample and a dewormer that is dependant on the type of worms present and early detection can be vital.

Intestinal worms can also pose a threat to human health, and particularly children who play outside where animal feces may be present because it’s not just our pets that contract intestinal worms.

Do your family and your extended pet family a favour, don’t miss your spring veterinary appointment this year and be sure to follow up on all deworming and preventative advice as directed.