Essential Dog Deworming Questions & Tips Explained

Our pets are our most loyal companions, but parasitic infections are alarmingly common. Not only do they hinder the growth and development of puppies, but they also pave the way for other pathogens, leading to a myriad of health issues in dogs. What's more concerning is that certain tapeworms and roundworms can even infect their owners. Activities like children petting dogs, heads pressed together, or close contact with pets, as well as going barefoot, can expose humans to parasites. Therefore, regular deworming for pets is not only necessary but essential.

Parasites are generally categorized into intestinal parasites and blood parasites (such as heartworms, coccidia, and toxoplasmosis, which require specific medications for targeted treatment). When we talk about deworming, we usually refer to intestinal parasites. Common types include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, pinworms, and whipworms. Infestations can lead to weight loss, diarrhea, and sometimes even visible worms in the stool. Microscopic examination may reveal worm eggs, or you might find them in vomit. Dogs infected with parasites may become increasingly thin, and they may also experience vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and malnutrition. Additionally, some parasites can cause symptoms like fever, cough, itchy skin, and dull hair. So, when your dog shows these signs, it's crucial to deworm promptly!

Here's how to deworm effectively:

1. Generally, puppies should have their first deworming session at one month of age.

2. Before three months of age, deworm puppies every two weeks.

3. From three months to one year, deworm once a month.

4. For adult dogs over one year old, deworm every 34 months.

5. Dog mothers should be dewormed before mating, during pregnancy, and one month postpartum.

6. It's important to promptly clean up your dog's feces to prevent them from ingesting worm eggs.

How to keep parasites at bay?

Firstly, ensure your dog doesn't eat raw meat, fish, or drink unclean water. Also, thoroughly eliminate fleas from your dog and their surroundings. As a cat or dog owner, avoid letting them roam freely, as this increases the likelihood of them ingesting worm eggs or intermediate hosts like rodents. Secondly, regularly administer deworming medication like Intestinal Dewormer or Baytril. These can effectively kill up to 99.9% of intestinal parasites, eliminating common worms like roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and protozoa in one go. If you find a high number of worms, consider deworming again in two weeks to ensure all remaining parasites are cleared.

Intestinal Dewormer is a highly recommended deworming medication for dogs, often suggested by veterinary hospitals. It can be administered directly, is very safe, and doesn't require fasting. Dogs usually don't mind the beef flavor. Intestinal Dewormer breaks down worms, so you typically won't see them in your dog's feces. Always follow the instructions for other deworming medications.

Deworming precautions:

1. Ensure your dog is free from any underlying diseases. If you've just acquired a new dog, observe them for at least 15 days before deworming. Dogs that haven't been dewormed before should be dewormed twice (with a 1015day interval between doses) for thorough treatment.

2. Deworm before vaccination. Since immunity is weakened during the vaccination period, it's best to separate deworming from other injections, like vaccines.

3. Follow the dosage instructions strictly; don't exceed or underdose, as too much can cause side effects like poisoning, and too little won't achieve the deworming goal.

4. Some dogs and cats may not like the taste of deworming tablets. To make it easier, you can break the tablet into smaller pieces and wrap them in meaty sausages or crush them and mix them with food. This helps with digestion and reduces intestinal irritation.

5. Some pets may start to show deworming effects in 310 days. After administration, parasites may move up the digestive tract, causing vomiting and diarrhea. If there are a lot of parasites, the reaction may be more severe. If you experience severe adverse reactions, seek medical attention promptly.

6. The unopened product has a shelf life of several years, so there's no need to worry. However, if you have an unused tablet, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it, but it's best not to keep it for more than two months.

7. Dogs with allergies should not take this medication. Dogs with liver dysfunction should use it with caution. Do not use it with Oxytetracycline or Praziquantel medications. Clean up feces promptly after deworming to prevent reinfection.

Suggested deworming schedule:

There are many suggested deworming schedules, but they are generally similar.

Plan 1: Deworm once a month for the first time, then every three months thereafter.

Plan 2: You can also deworm once every six months, and deworm again 1015 days later (first deworming: 13 months; second deworming: 89 months).

For bitches: Deworm 30 days before mating and 15 days before giving birth.

For pregnant dogs: Deworming is not recommended in principle. If infection is severe, follow your veterinarian's advice.

Why don't we see worms after deworming?

After taking deworming medication, if you don't see any worms, you might mistakenly think you bought fake medicine or that the deworming medication is ineffective. Here's why:

1. The pet may not have been infected with internal parasites.

2. Parasites may have already been killed inside the body, broken down by the pet's intestines, and some worm eggs may have been excreted in the feces without being noticed.

3. There are up to 20 types of parasites, but only a few can be seen with the naked eye (such as roundworms and tapeworms). About 80% of the worms are invisible to the naked eye and require a microscope to be observed.

4. Not seeing worms after deworming is a good sign. With the advancement of deworming drug research and development, deworming medications can now kill parasites at the larval or even egg stage, greatly reducing the chance of worm eggs contaminating the soil and lowering the risk of reinfection. Additionally, the infection rate of parasites like roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms in urban areas has significantly decreased, reducing the chance of reinfection, which is why the "seeing worms after deworming" phenomenon is becoming less common.

Why do we experience vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite after deworming?

After taking deworming medication, you may experience vomiting, intestinal discomfort, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Here's why:

Firstly, deworming medications are slightly more irritating than regular tablets, and dogs have a highly developed and sensitive vomiting center. When the intestines feel uncomfortable, the body will involuntarily induce a habitual vomiting response.

Secondly, due to the narrow intestinal cavity in puppies and the relatively large number and size of parasites like roundworms, they are more likely to cause diarrhea in puppies. When parasites absorb the medication, they die, bringing down a large amount of intestinal mucosa and releasing some toxic substances that stimulate the intestines, causing enteritis and resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. This is a normal phenomenon during deworming.

Thirdly, there's no need to worry about these symptoms, as they usually resolve themselves within 24 days and occur in about 20% of cases. If there are a lot of parasites, the reaction may be more intense. After the deworming process is complete, the diarrhea and vomiting reactions will naturally subside. In most cases, owners do not need to administer vomiting or diarrhea medication. In severe cases, consult a doctor promptly. It's possible that the individual is overly sensitive to the deworming medication, and you may consider switching to a different deworming medication next time.