Roundworms in Dogs – What You Should Know
What are roundworms in dogs?
Roundworms (also know as ascarids) are common parasites that live in the intestines of dogs and cats. They can grow up to 3-5 inches long. Symptoms of roundworm in dogs include a pot bellied appearance, weight loss, loss of appetite, coughing, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe infestation can cause death due to mass of roundworms blocking the bowel.
How does a dog get roundworms?
A dog or puppy can become infected with roundworms in several ways: ingestion of roundworm eggs, ingestion of a paratenic host, or roundworm larvae pass from mother dog to puppy through uterus and milk.
Ingestion of roundworm eggs:
After roundworm eggs are swallowed, they hatch into larvae in the dog's stomach and intestines and migrate to the lungs or other tissue areas. While in the lungs, the larvae are coughed up and swallowed into the intestines to mature. Adult roundworms produce new eggs which are pass out in the feces.
Larvae that encyst in body tissue of adult dogs can remain dormant for months or years. They can be activated by pregnancy and thereby, infecting the newborn. This is one of the ways puppy can get roundworms.
Ingestion of a paratenic host:
Roundworm larvae are present in the tissues of certain animals such as rodents, birds, chickens and cockroaches. When a dog eats any of the paratenic hosts, it can be infected when the larvae enters into its body.
Larvae through uterus and milk: Larvae encysted in the female dog tissue can migrate to the placenta and unborn puppy. Roundworm larvae that are present in the mammary glands and milk can be transferred to the puppy while nursing. In both cases, the larvae mature in the puppy's intestines.
Diagnosis of roundworm in dogs
Adult roundworms can be seen in the dog's stool or vomit. The eggs are diagnosed by a microscopic examination of the feces.
Most of the wormers are effective for killing adult roundworms in the intestine, but not the migrating or encyst larvae. Repeated treatments at 2-4 weeks intervals are required. Most heartworm preventives are also effective against intestinal parasites (including roundworms) and to prevent future infections.
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