Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Picking the Right Worm Medicine For Dogs

There are many different types of worms that can infect your pet. So, the first step in picking the right worm medication for dogs will be to determine what type of worms Fido has.

Early detection is key. There are some symptoms your dog may exhibit when they have worms. These include, weight loss, appetite loss, coughing, and diarrhea just to name a few. If you are uncertain, it is always a good practice to start with your vet.

Some worms can be treated with over the counter medication. Roundworms and hookworms can be treated by administering oral medication called a dewormer. As with all health problems, follow up visits to the vet for fecal exams is important to insure the medicine has alleviated all of the worms from the system.

Over the counter medication is not effective on tapeworms. This type of worm will require a visit to your vet for a prescription dewormer. Praziquantel or Epsiprantel is typically administered either orally or by injection in the office.

Whipworms can be effected by over the counter medications. However, it is best to seek professional medication from your vet for the most effective care. Vet treatments last for five days and are generally repeated every three weeks. After the manifestation is cleared, it is best to put your dog on regular heartworm medication to prevent any future infections.

Heartworms are the most common of all worms. It is important to place your dog on one of the many preventive medicines on the market. You can start using this medication on dogs six months of age and older.

With a little precaution, you can keep your dog healthy and worm free. As with all illnesses, if you think your dog is not acting normally, it is best to visit the vet immediately.

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