Intestinal Worms

Protecting Your Pets and Your Family: The Importance of Regular Deworming

Intestinal worms are a relatively common occurrence in various animal species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, large animals, fish, reptiles, and birds. Ensuring regular deworming is an essential part of maintaining the health of your pets and reducing the risk to both them and your family.

Puppies and kittens, in particular, are more susceptible to worm infestations. These parasites are spread through feces, meaning they can be picked up anywhere from your backyard to the local dog park. It's not uncommon for puppies and kittens to already have worms when they arrive in their new homes. In young dogs, especially if the infestation is severe, intestinal worms can lead to gastrointestinal disease, malnutrition, and anemia. Sometimes, there may be no obvious signs that your dog has intestinal worms.

Importantintestinal worms that can affect Australian pets are:

Roundworm

Tapeworm

Whipworm

Hookworm

Some of the important types of intestinal worms that can affect Australian pets include roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm, and hookworm. While frequent deworming can eliminate the worms that are currently present, it's crucial to continue deworming your pets all year round. Certain worm species can produce a large number of eggs, such as roundworms, which can lay 200,000 eggs per day within just five weeks of infestation. Maintaining a regular deworming program for your pets helps reduce the shedding of eggs into the environment.

Can you get worms from your dog?

The answer is yes. Many worms that infest dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. Each type of worm causes different diseases and exhibits its own set of symptoms. While anyone can become infected by intestinal worms, children and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk. Regular deworming of pets is one of the most important ways to reduce human exposure to worms.

To minimise the risk of human exposure to worms, we recommend the following precautions:

  • Implement a routine deworming schedule for all pets in your household.
  • Dispose of pet feces promptly and properly on a daily basis.
  • Encourage good hygiene practices, particularly handwashing for children (especially after playing in dirt or sandpits, handling pets, or before eating).
  • Prevent children from ingesting soil or pet feces.
  • Protect playgrounds and garden areas, and cover sandpits.
  • Always properly dispose of dog feces in public parks and playgrounds.
  • Prevent your pet from scavenging or hunting.

We encourage you to call us to discuss a deworming program tailored to your pet's specific needs. By prioritising regular deworming, you're safeguarding the well-being of your beloved pets and your entire family.