If you’ve adopted a cute little pup, you’ll know how fulfilling the experience can be. However, parenting a pup is not just about grooming, feeding, and playing with them. One of the most important parts of bringing up a pup is to make sure they are in good health and free from intestinal worm infections. If you’re a new puppy parent and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’re happy to provide you with a comprehensive guide to the puppy deworming schedule to help you ensure the well-being of your furry friend.
Read on to find out more!
What is Deworming? Why Is It Important for Puppies?
Deworming is the process of eliminating intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms from a pet’s body using appropriate deworming treatments.
Deworming is especially critical for puppies as they commonly become infected with intestinal worms from their mother’s placenta or milk. If not eliminated on time, intestinal worm infections can affect healthy growth, cause malnutrition, and even lead to anemia.
How Do Puppies Contract Intestinal Worms?
Puppies commonly contract intestinal worms from their mother before or shortly after birth. They can also get worms from the following sources:
- Ingesting infected fleas while grooming
- Consuming larvae transmitted through the mother’s milk (for certain worms)
- Ingesting larvae from contaminated soil while playing outdoors
- Consuming water contaminated with worm eggs or larvae
Types of Intestinal Worms That Are Common in Puppies
Let’s take a look at the common intestinal worms that tend to infect pups:
Roundworms
Mature Size: 4 – 6 inches
Transmission: Mother
Risk: Poor Growth
Tapeworms
Mature Size: Up to 11 inches
Transmission: Fleas
Risk: Intense Itching Around the Anus
Whipworms
Mature Size: ¼ inch long
Transmission: Ingestion of infective eggs from contaminated feces or soil
Risk: Chronic Weight Loss
Hookworms
Mature Size: 1/8 inch long
Transmission: Contaminated soil or feces
Risk: Severe Anemia
Symptoms of Intestinal Worm Infection in Puppies
The following are symptoms of intestinal worm infection in puppies.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Weight Loss
- Dull Coat
- Poor Growth
- Blood, Worms, or Mucus in Stool
- Potbellied Appearance
- Coughing
Deworming Schedule in Puppies
The following deworming schedule may help puppies lead a worm-free, healthy life.
What are Some of the Most Effective Dewormers for Puppies?
Some of the most effective dewormers for puppies include:
- Milbemax
- Drontal
- Paragard Allwormer
- Triworm-D Dewormer
Broad-Spectrum Treatments:
- NexGard Spectra – Covers intestinal worms, fleas, ticks, mites, and heartworms
- Heartgard Plus – Covers intestinal worms and heartworms
- Interceptor – Covers intestinal worms and heartworms
Wrapping Up
Intestinal worm infection may trigger significant health problems for puppies. If not treated on time, the worms can cause poor growth, lack of appetite, poor coat condition, digestive upsets, and even organ damage. Maintaining a regular deworming schedule ensures that the parasites are eliminated from your pup’s body on time, leading to their overall well-being.
At BestVetCare, we carry an impressive range of dewormers for puppies. Explore our online store to choose your preferred products at discounted prices from the comfort of your home.