Everything you didnt know, but need to, about worms and your pet

Worms are an ever present threat to you and your pet, but do you really know the different risks involved with intestinal and lung worms, and how best to protect yourself and your pet from both unwelcome visitors?

As much as you adore your pet, your pet could be a host to a gruesome outcome for you and your family if you do not de-flea and de-worm regularly. Regular treatment is extremely important to avoid gruesome infestations.

Worms are parasites that live inside the body. There are many different types of worms that can affect your pet, but the most common types are roundworms, tapeworms and lungworms.

Roundworms
Roundworms live in the small intestine. A mild infection can cause a pot belly in puppies, poor growth and occasional diarrhoea. A bad infection can cause a lethal blockage of the intestines.

The dog roundworm, Toxocara canis, does little or no harm to an adult dog but can also pose a serious danger to humans. Its eggs are found in dog faeces and if a person comes into contact with the faeces without washing their hands properly, the eggs can be ingested. Eggs hatch into larvae, and the larva - once developed inside the person, can cause blindness. Toxocara eggs can remain infectious on the ground for many years, which is why dog faeces should always be disposed of responsibly, and why dogs should be wormed regularly.

Tapeworms

The commonest tapeworm affecting dogs, Dipylidium, is spread by fleas. Tapeworms live inside fleas in their early form, so good flea control is an important part of prevention. Frontline is the most common flea treatment recommended by vets, as it kills fleas, ticks and offers long lasting protection. The tapeworm does not usually affect the dog's health but can cause liver health problems in humans.

Cats and Tapeworms

Tapeworms are more serious for cats. Symptoms can include a pot belly, diarrhoea, a poor coat, and poor growth (if a kitten.) As in dogs, tapeworm segments passed via the bottom may be visible around the tail area and look like grains of rice. The cat may groom the area excessively or show signs of discomfort.

Drontal Bones

To highlight the importance of de-worming your dog and to make de-worming extra fun and tasty, Bayer Animal Health has launched the new Drontal ‘Bone’, the UK’s first worming tablet shaped like a bone. Drontal is the first choice of wormer recommended by vets and has one of the widest spectrums of activity.

For a happy and healthy pet, Drontal recommends that adult dogs should be wormed at least every three months. Puppies should be wormed more frequently, ideally every two weeks up to three months of age and then every three months thereafter.

Drontal is the only wormer that kills every type of intestinal worm commonly found in UK dogs and cats.

Each Drontal bone measures just 17mm long, and has a tasty beef flavour for your dog to enjoy. Drontal Bones are available as a single, a 2 pack, a 6 pack and a 24 pack. ‘Drontal Cat’ is also available, and offers the same wide spectrum of protection.

Lungworms

It is important to note that Drontal is for intestinal worms only, and so does not cover protection for Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum).

Lungworm does not affect humans, but is a fatal threat for dogs and can be carried by slugs and snails in your own garden. An adult Lungworm lives in your dog’s heart and the major blood vessels supplying the lungs – so pose a very serious health risk.

Your dog can accidentally (or purposefully!) eat slugs or snails when rummaging in the garden, eating grass, drinking from puddles or by finding them on toys left outside. Foxes can also become infected with lungworm, and this is believed to have helped spread the parasite across the country.

The larvae of Lungworm are expelled in the infected animal’s faeces and thus risk other animals picking the parasite up.

Symptoms of Lungworm:

• Breathing problems
• Sickness; including weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting
• Change in behaviour; including tiredness, seizures
• Poor blood clotting; including nose bleeds, excessive bleeding

If you are concerned your dog may have a lungworm infection, speak to your veterinary surgeon without delay.

In 2010 a survey of UK veterinary surgeons showed that 37% had confirmed a case of Angiostrongylus vasorum at their practice.

Cats can become infected with a different type of lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus). However, infections are rare and the outcome is not as severe as in dogs.

For protection against lungworm, a separate treatment of Panacur is recommended. Although Panacur covers a narrower spectrum of protection in comparison with Drontal, Panacur does treat lungworm.

Complete Protection

We recommend rotating between Drontal and Panacur every 3 months (more frequently for puppies), as this will ensure both intestinal and lungworm populations are controlled. It is also very important to clear up your dog’s faeces to protect family members/other pets, and keep your pet’s toys indoors. The Pedigree Easi-Scoop is an easy, hygienic way to clear away dog mess – the clamp like scoop covers the mess with the bag, ensuring contact is as limited as possible.