Protect your dog from worms in Whetstone
February 14, 2019
As the weather warms up, our pets tend to spend more time outside – so now is a great time to think about protecting your dog against worms.
Every dog is different and so are the parasitic worms that can end up in their systems, so to help you choose the right choice of worming treatment, our vets and staff will need to know a few details about your pet’s lifestyle.
For example:
- If you have a garden and your dog plays with toys left on the lawn overnight, there can be an increased risk of lungworm.
- If your dog is a scavenger, they’re more likely to be exposed to tapeworms.
- If your dog is very young, they’re at greater risk from roundworm.
The threat of worms grows in summer, but need to be guarded against all year round. With that in mind, if you haven’t had your dog wormed for a while, why not book a worming consultation with our vet nurse Justina?
More about the types of worm that affect dogs
Lungworm is a parasite that’s carried by slugs and snails, so if there’s a warm and wet summer in Whetstone, the risks are higher. Albert, our head vet, is concerned about increasing numbers of lungworm cases in the UK and urges all dog owners to be vigilant.
Tapeworms can be contracted as a result of your dog having fleas, so make sure you keep bedding clean and always be on the look-out for flea dirt. The aim of treating your dog for tapeworms is to kill any worms inside, break the tapeworm lifecycle and stop infective eggs being released into your home.
Roundworm eggs can remain in grass or soil for years and are picked up by your dog on its muzzle, paws and coat as it sniffs and walks in contaminated areas. It can also pose a health risk to humans, so by protecting your dog you’re also protecting your whole household.
Protecting your dog from worms
Worms are very difficult to spot, so don’t wait for symptoms of infection to appear before you get your pet checked out.
On your next visit to our practice, you can ask your vet or nurse to create a worming schedule for your dog, then make a note on your calendar or in your diary of when the next treatment is due. Alternatively you can ask us to book a reminder for you.
Plus, if you have several pets, make sure you worm all of them at the same time. You should also keep worming treatments locked safely away and wash your hands after dealing with them.