Deworming of dogs and other pets is first-most consideration in pet health care protocol. This book reveals what are worms of pets, ill effects caused by them, their diagnosis. DEWORMING - WHAT, WHY, WHEN and HOW Side effects, precautions and natural alternatives of dewormer drugs.

2. ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHERS
CONTENTS OF THIS E-BOOK “ALL ABOUT WORMS AND
DEWORMING OF DOGS AND PETS” IS PROVIDED BY DR. H. R.
SONI AND COMPILED AND PRESENTED TO YOU BY MRS.
URMILA SONI.
DR. SONI IS WORKING PRESENTLY AS SENIOR VETERINARY
OFFICER IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT, GOVT. OF
RAJASTHAN.
WE WISH YOU THAT YOU WILL ENJOY THE 18 YEARS
EXPERIENCE OF DR. SONI.
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3. ALL ABOUT
DEWORMING OF DOGS
AND OTHER PETS
WHAT, WHY, WHEN, HOW, AND PRECAUTIONS OF DEWORMING
Deworming of dogs and other pets is the firstmost
consideration in pet health care protocol.
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4. What is Deworming of Dogs and other Pets
Deworming is a scheduled medication of pets with
antiparasitic medicines to make them free from worms.
Deworming is carried out in a healthy pet starting from
an early age.
It is different from ‘Worming treatment’ where a pet is
given treatment when sickened due to worms.
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5. Worms of Dogs and other Pets
Worms are internal parasites or pests or helminths which feed on
the host's (pet / animals / humans) intestines, heart, lungs, blood
vessels or other organs, resulting in ill effects or diseases.
All the dogs / pets usually have some population of worms in their
body every time, without showing any symptoms of illness.
If not treated and the number of worms becomes higher than the
immunity power of the host, the host shows the signs of illness.
There may be five types of worms / internal parasites in the body of
a dog - hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and
heartworms.
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6. Puppies are more susceptible than adults.
In cats - roundworms and tapeworms are common.
In Rabbits - roundworms (pinworms), tapeworms and liver flukes.
Most of them are found in the intestines (hookworm, roundworm,
tapeworm) of the host , some in the heart (heartworm) or lungs
(roundworms-ascaris, heartworm), at anus (tapeworms,
whipworms) or in the other organs/parts of the body.
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8. How worms enter into the body of pets
(sources of worm infestation)
Worms complete most part of their life cycle in the body of the host.
Their adults lay eggs, which are voided outside the host body mostly through
faeces or by few other ways like vomit, urine.
From eggs they turn into some intermediate stages - larva.
These larva and eggs are found in ground, crops, plants, water or air and enter in
the body of a healthy pet after licking or smelling these.
Other ways of worm’s entry in the host body are by insect bites, skin penetration
of worm or larva, infected dam’s (mother’s) milk (milk-worm or roundworms),
infected raw meat, fishes, fleas or snails, and before birth while as embryo
through the dam's uterus.
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9. How to find out or confirm worms in your
pet / diagnosis worms
Tapeworms are identified easily by particular scooting of ground by your pet and they look like small
rice grains and can be found in the faeces or around the tail and rear area, sometimes clinging to hair or
fur, may be moving.
Roundworms are long white worms that look like noodles or spaghetti. They may appear in faeces or in
vomit.
Most worms are diagnosed by seeing them or their eggs in faeces microscopically. Take a fresh stool
sample in a clean polythene / plastic bag and bring it to your vet or lab.
Secret Tip - collect faecal samples around the full moon, because at this time worms lay more eggs.
Blood test is carried out to detect heartworms. Sometimes x-ray, ultrasound, ECG or tests may be
required.
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10. Why deworming of dogs and other Pets is Essential
The worms of dogs and other pets are of Zoonotic importance - i.e., humans are also susceptible
to many of these worms.
In some cases, your dog can infect you (or your family members) by licking, sniffing or kissing ,
or by their faeces.
Thus, one reason for the deworming of dogs and other pets is to prevent the zoonotic
transmission of worms from pets to humans.
Main reason for deworming is to prevent dogs and other pets themselves from ill effects caused
by the worms.
Worming treatments do not prevent worms, they only kill worms. So it's
important to deworm pets regularly to eliminate worm load and resulting ill
effects.
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11. Symptoms or Signs or ill effects of worm infestation
In general, signs of worm infestation are
● Lack of appetite.
● Abdominal pain or colic.
● Vomiting.
● Intestinal obstructions and rupture.
● Depression.
● Moderate to severe diarrhea, dysentery - blood in stool.
● Dehydration.
● Protein loss and a swollen tummy - ‘pot belly’ appearance.
● Low blood glucose level and lethargy.
● Anemia, weight loss, poor growth, poor coat appearance.
● Sometimes coughing / pneumonia, short breath.
● Chewing or licking under their tail, irritation around the anus causing pets to
‘scoot’ along the ground.
● Even the death of your pet.
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12. Deworming Schedule or Protocol for Pets.
Deworming Schedule for Dogs
First dose - at 2 weeks of age.
Next at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age.
Then 4, 5, and 6 months of age.
Thereafter with a gap of 3 months lifelong.
Deworming Schedule for Cats
Kittens (4 - 16 weeks of age) - Every two weeks against roundworms (e.g. Pyrantel).
Cats (6 months or older) - Every 2 - 6 months against both roundworms and tapeworms.
Deworming Schedule for Rabbits
Against Pinworms - Piperazine once weekly for three weeks.
Against Tapeworms and Liver Flukes - single dose of Praziquantel.
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13. How to do Deworming of dogs and other Pets
● To control and prevent worms antiparasitic or anthelmintics drugs are administered
to pets by mouth, skin applications or by injections.
● It is a best practice to give oral (by mouth) anthelmintics when your pet has an empty
stomach, i.e. in early morning. Stop feeding or watering for the next half an hour to
one hour.
● There are many dewormer drugs available in the market - Albendazole, Fenbendazole,
Pyrantel, Morantel, Praziquantel, Levamisole, Febental, Ivermectin, Piperazine and
much more. Few HERBAL preparations are also available.
● Some are specific to a particular type of parasite while others are broad-spectrum,
meaning work against almost all worm types.
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14. ● Some are effective and safe in all pets, whilst some are not effective or even fatal in
some species or breeds of pets.
● Some are given orally (Tablets or suspension), while few by injections or other
routes.
● Some are given alone , some in combination.
● Correct dosage of anthelmintics are dependent upon various factors like species,
breed, age, sex, body weight, health condition, types of worms, egg counts in faecal
tests, previous history, type of salt of medicine, resistance to drugs etc.
● Both under-dosing and overdosing are injurious to the health of your pet.
● Salt of medicine should be changed every deworming time, to avoid drug resistance.
Hence it is strictly advised that you don't give any medicine to your pet by
yourself, from over the counter, or online selling sites, without consulting
your VET.
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15. Precautions regarding Worms and
Deworming of Dogs and other Pets
● Follow deworming as per schedule because "Prevention is better than
cure".
● You should be aware of the general warning signs of worms infestation.
● Always consult your VET to treat your pet against worms promptly, once
the signs are appeared / detected, to prevent spreading of worms.
● Examine your pet regularly with your vet. At Least once a year for adults
and two-four times for puppies.
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16. ● Ivermectin may be toxic for some breeds of dogs like Collie, Sheepdogs etc
and for some cats.
● Apply preventive measures for control of fleas, mosquitoes. Use
Flea-collars or flea control drugs applied over skin, by mouth or by
injections.
● Practice these four P's - Pick up (and throw away) Pet Poop Promptly.
Clean-up your home and yard of dog waste all around. Wipe down your
dog’s paws when you come in from walks.
● Wash your hand after handling your pet or wastes.
● Don't let your pet lick or kiss you or your kids and other family members.
● Command your pets to sleep on their own bed - not yours.
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17. Side Effects of Deworming in Dogs and other Pets
After recommended deworming, dogs and other pets may suffer some mild and
short-lived side effects, such as lack of appetite, gastrointestinal upset, or vomiting.
They are not severe and subside automatically after sometime, no need to worry.
If an overdose or irrelevant drug is administered, there may be some severe effects
like lethargy, intestinal cramps, drooling, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors,
blindness, ataxia, convulsions, dizziness, sleeplessness, coma etc. In these
situations contact your VET immediately.
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18. Six Common Mistakes to be Avoided,
regarding Deworming of Dogs and other Pets
1. Using drugs recommended for other animals or humans -
Don't use drugs made for livestock like cattle, pigs, horses etc to your dog or other pet. Even
don't use drugs for dogs to cats, or formulations made for large dogs to small dogs.
2. Medicating pets yourself -
Don't purchase anthelmintics from a medical store or online without prior consulting with your
VET.
3. Forgetting the next dose -
The effect of antiparasitic medicines remains for a few days, so its repetition is mandatory after a
given / scheduled interval.
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19. 4. Deworming one pet out of many other pets -
If you have more than one pet, deworm all pets at the same time, not individually at different
times.
5. While administering the medicine by mouth, sometimes we assume that
it is swallowed properly -
But it is not true every time, your pet may spit it or throw it up due to unpleasant taste or flavor.
So keep watching and ensure its engulfment.
6. Believing that all anthelmintics will eliminate all worms -
Fact is that some anthelmintics are worm specific while some are effective against a wide variety
of worms.
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20. Natural or Home-made remedies to control
Worms in Dogs or other Pets
If you are worried about side effects of anthelmintic drugs, you may consider these
homemade natural alternatives or solutions.
BUT
We always recommend consulting your VET first to treat and prevent worms in your pet
since every pet and situation is different!
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21. Pumpkin seeds
Amino acid ‘cucurbitacin’ in pumpkin seeds paralyzes worms and eliminates them from the
intestines. Give 1 teaspoon of whole or grinded raw seeds per 10 lbs or 4.5 kg of pet’s body weight,
twice daily for 3-5 days.
Fresh vegetables and fruits
● Carrots, greens, fennel, squash, cucumber, watercress etc are excellent source of vitamin A,
fibers and other nutrients. These are perfectly safe, boost the immune system and can get rid of
worms from our companion.
● Pineapple (enzyme- bromelain) and Papaya (enzyme - papain) helps in worm removal.
● Pomegranate - helps to get rid of tapeworms.
Coconuts
Coconut is a vermifuge (which eliminate worms from the body). Sprinkle dried coconut powder on
feed as 1 teaspoon for small dogs, 2 teaspoon for medium dogs and 1 tablespoon for large dogs.
Coconut oil may be fed regularly to get rid of internal parasites and provides some other health
benefits as well.
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22. Apple Cider Vinegar
¼ -1 teaspoon of raw, organic, fermented Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) should be added everyday to
the drinking water of your furry friend. It eliminates worms from the intestines, improves coat
condition and has several other health benefits.
Turmeric
Turmeric is considered a super-food, boosts the immune system and has anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and healing properties. It should be given with coconut oil
making a paste, since it can be hard to be absorbed when given alone.
Chamomile tincture
Give 0.25 - 0.50 ml per 20 lbs or 9 kg body weight of your four-legged friend, twice daily for 2 weeks.
It is effective against roundworms and whipworms. It also has a soothing effect, helps in bloat and
inflammation caused by the internal parasites.
Bone broth
It is effective especially around full moon, increases digestive health, boosts the immune system.
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23. Be prepared to the Unexpected
Treating and preventing worms using natural remedies may
be a great start, but you are still advised strictly to schedule
a visit with your VET, at least once a year.
MUST READ - TOP 10 BASIC PET CARE TIPS THAT EVERY PET OWNER MUST KNOW
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THANKS !!
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