Deworming

At our hospital part of our prevention program is ensuring that our patients are dewormed regularly. Deworming removes worms from your pet and prevents them from catching worms later on. It’s a repetitive process as your pet can catch worms at any time. Worms not only pose a risk to your pet but to you and your family members. Zoonotic worms can be contracted by humans and other animals within your home.

What are signs of worms in my pet?

When your pet has worms you may see changes such as:

• Weight loss
• Bloated stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite

When should my pet start deworming medication?

Deworming is not a once in a lifetime event for your pet. Puppies and kittens should start deworming at 2 to 4-weeks-old. At this age they can get worms from their mothers which is why we start them so early. Deworming should continue until they are 3-months-old. As adults your veterinarian will determine how frequent your pet should be dewormed. To learn more about when you should deworm your pet please call us at 519-763-1082.

How does deworming work for pets?

Deworming medication can be taken in tablets or injections. The medication completely flushes the worms from your pet’s system. By using a blood test we can tell when your pet is free of worms.

How can I protect my family from getting worms?

As mentioned before, some worms are zoonotic and can be passed on to humans. To be safe, you should deworm your pet so your family is not at risk of getting them. When your pet is being dewormed you should use caution when handling their feces. Use baggies for disposal and wash your hands immediately after handling.