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Worms in Pets

'Worms' is the name given to the internal parasites which infect our pets. They are very common, all animals will be affected at some point in their lives, and they can cause considerable problems. It can be difficult to know if your pet is suffering with worms but ensuring they are treated is very important, especially if they have contact with children.

What are worms??

There are many different kinds of worms but they all live internally in our pets. Most infect the guts but they can also be found in the lungs and heart. They can range in size from a less than a centimeter to several meters in length.

How do pets become infected?

There are many different ways animals become infected with worms and some individuals will be more vulnerable to picking them up than others.

The majority of puppies are born with roundworm infections. Not only do they pass across the placenta and infect the puppy's guts before they are even born, they are also passed in the bitches' milk.
Some worms will infect fleas and then are passed into animals when the flea is ingested by a pet, for example when it is grooming itself.
Cats who hunt will easily pick up worms. Some species will encyst in the muscle of the prey and activate in the hunter's system after they have been eaten.
Dogs who scavenge on walks will often pick up worms. They can be present in animal carcasses, wet grasses and soil.
Outdoor pets will pick up worms very easily. The worm eggs are passed in faeces and can then survive in the environment for long periods. Any pet which spends time outside will be exposed to these eggs and become infected.
Some species of worms will use an 'intermediate host' to get into our pets. For example, lungworm will infect slugs and heartworm is passed via infected mosquitoes.

How can you tell if your pet has worms?

Vets It can be difficult to know if your pet has worms as often the symptoms are subtle or non-existent. Worm eggs are passed in the faeces but they are microscopic. You don't tend to see fully-grown worms in a pets faeces unless they are dead, which tends to be after you have treated them. Basically, if your pet is an outdoor animal, then the chances are they will be infected, which is why it is important to treat them regularly whether you notice problems or not.

Some worm infections can give pets itchy bottoms. This can lead to them 'scooting' their backends along the floor, more commonly seen in dogs than cats, or nibbling and licking at themselves.
Fleas will pass worm infestations to your pet, so any pet diagnosed with fleas, should also be wormed as well.
In Tapeworm infections, you may sometimes see worm segments in your pets faeces or clinging to the coat around their bottoms. They look like small, white grains of rice and can sometimes be seen wriggling.
Puppies are most often infected with worms and in heavy infestations they can pass them in faeces or vomit them up. They can also appear thin with a pot belly and poor coats.
Heavy worm burdens can cause diarrhoea, often with blood.
Lungworm is becoming progressively more common in the UK and it can cause symptoms ranging from a soft cough, exercise intolerance or bleeding problems.
Vets can test a pets faeces for worms and their eggs but this can be costly and a much cheaper option is just to treat your pet.

How are worms treated?

There are many different types of products available to treat pets and different ones will be most suitable for different individuals and situations.

Tablets – these are the most common treatment for worms in pets. A single dose should be enough to fully clear an infestion. Any tablets which need to be given as a course are not likely to be strong enough. Some now come in 'tasty' formulations which makes them easier to give.
Liquids – these are generally used in young animals as they are easier to administer and can be adjusted for their small bodyweights. They are often given as a three day course.
Powders – again these are more commonly used for young animals but can be helpful for adult pets who refuse to take tablets as they can be mixed in with food.
Spot-on – several veterinary spot-on treatments are active against worms as well as fleas. However, given their duel purpose nature they do not have a full spectrum of activity against all worms and another wormer should be used as well. There is now a specific wormer spot-on for cats, which is effective against all worm species and can be much more convenient than a tablet.

Whichever method you chose to treat your pet against worms, it is vital you use a product from your vet. These will be 100% effective against all types of worms, whereas they same is not always true of products bought in shops.

How often should I treat my pet against worms?

Pets will have different risks of infections from worms based on their lifestyle and habits. It can be very useful to work out your own pet's personal likelihood of infection so you can tailor a worming schedule specifically for them. For example;

Cats who hunt regularly should be wormed every month. Their risk of infection, either directly from their prey, or indirectly via flea infestations (also passed by prey) will be high.
100% indoor cats will have be at a low risk from worms but should still be treated every six months due to the risk of passage from fleas.
Dogs who scavenge, especially those in rural areas, are also in a high risk group and should be wormed monthly.
Dogs who don't particularly scavenge should be treated every 3 months. Any outdoor activity will mean they will eventually pick up an infection.
Puppies should be wormed every two weeks from birth to eight weeks old and then monthly until six months old. This is because of the passage of worms from the bitch in the milk and the fact that pups curious and exploratory natures (they will put more or less anything in their mouths!) will make them more vulnerable to picking up worms.
Kittens are at less risk when they are young as the worms cannot pass over the placenta or via the milk but should be wormed monthly from two to six months old.
Any pet who has close or regular contact with children should be wormed every month. Worm infections can pass to kids and, in some cases, can cause significant damage.

The best people to talk to about creating a worming schedule for your pet is your local vets.

Worms and children

It is important to realise that the worms that infect our pets can also infect us and children are particularly at risk. Not only do they tend to have very close relationships with their pets, they are also less likely to have good hygiene; often putting their hands in their mouths after handling animals or allowing them to lick their faces.

Most pet worms will infect the intestines in humans, just like they do in animals, but in some, rare, cases they can get into the retina at the back of the eye and cause blindness.

Worms and travel abroad

There are many species of worms that exist on the continent that we don't have here in the UK. This is why, if you are taking your pet abroad under the PETS scheme, you should ensure they are fully protected. You are required to worm your pet before you return to the UK but this does not prevent all the possible infections. If you are planning to travel, talk to your vet about the best preventative care for your pet, as not all exotic infections are easy to spot or treat.

If you are concerned about your pet regarding this, or any other problem, you should contact your vet.

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