How to Identify Different Dog Worms

There are various types of gastrointestinal and heart worms that affect dogs, in particular, roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whip worms and heartworms. Each type of worm presents different symptoms and requires a different treatment. See a veterinarian if you can. It's better to get an accurate diagnosis that resolves the problem quickly than to let your dog suffer and possibly be harmed by a worm infestation. If you can't see a vet for whatever reason, pay attention to symptoms so you can identify what worms could be affecting your dog.

Edit Steps

Edit Method 1: Identifying Roundworms

If not treated, roundworms may result in death, so noticing their presence is important for ensuring your dog's optimal health.

Be aware that there are often no signs indicating that your dog may have roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina). However, you can look for the following possible symptoms:
- Swollen/bloated stomach
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Dull coat
- Weight loss or poor growth.

Identify the roundworms. These worms are white and grow up to 7 inches/17.5cm long. They have an appearance similar to thin noodles. You will most likely see the worms in your dog's feces or vomit.
- The worms are usually diagnosed by microscopic fecal examination.

Prevent further infestation from roundworms. This type of worm is the most common one found in dogs. It is also often found in puppies, who get infected from the mother's milk or uterus. Dogs can also become infected by contaminated rodents or contaminated soil.
- Deworm puppies regularly during the first 3 months of their lives.
- Deworm mothers prior to giving birth to puppies. This can help reduce the chances of transmitting the worms to her puppies.
- Deworm your dog and older puppy monthly, according to the instructions given by the packaging of the chosen worm tablet.

Edit Method 2: Identifying Tapeworms

Note that there are few signs to indicate that your dog may have tapeworms (cestodes). However, you can look for the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Agitation
- Weight loss, poor food absorption
- Itching around the anus
- Vomiting or diarrhea.

Identify the tapeworms. These worms can be found, broken in pieces, in your dog's stool or often whole in vomit. The worm has a rice-like appearance, and can often be found still moving. The worms can also be seen around your dog's anus and in his bed.

Prevent future infestations of the worm. Dogs get these worms from swallowing infected fleas.
- Treat any initial infestation with appropriate tapeworm medication. See your vet if you're not sure what is best.
- Deworm your dog and puppies regularly.
- Treat your dog and puppies for fleas regularly. Use a reputable de-fleaing agent and apply as instructed by the packaging. Be aware that most flea treatments are based on size and weight of the animal.
- Remove any possibility of your dog getting hold of prey animals. They are a source of reinfection.

Edit Method 3: Identifying Hookworms

If not treated, hookworms may result in death, hence identifying their presence early in an infestation is vital.

Note that there are few signs to indicate that your dog may have hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, A. braziliense, Ucinaria stenocephala). Indeed, there are often no signs. However, you can look for the following symptoms:
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Bloody stool or dark and tarry diarrhea
- Lack of energy
- Poor growth in puppies
- Pale gums
- Skin irritation.

Identify the hookworms. These worms cannot be seen with the naked eye, and you will need a stool sample, which will be checked by a vet using a microscopic examination. As such, there will not be evidence of worms in fecal or vomiting matter.

Prevent further infection. These worms are transmitted from mother to puppy in the uterus or from the milk, or possibly, from exposure to other infected animal or an infected animals stool.
- Deworm puppies regularly in the first 3 months of life.
- Use monthly heart worm preventives or hookworm medication for older puppies and dogs.
- Treat mothers prior to birth to prevent transmission of the worms to her puppies.
- Keep bedding, sleeping and housing areas clean.

Edit Method 4: Identifying Whipworms

Note that there are few signs of whipworm (Trichuris vulpis) infection if your dog has a "light" infection, although signs are more likely with a "heavy" infection. Look for such symptoms as:
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Anemia
- Increased flatulence
- Lack of energy
- Blood or mucus in stool.

Identification. These worms cannot be seen with the naked eye, and you will need a stool sample, which will be checked by a vet, using a microscope.

Prevent future infection. Transmitted from mother to puppy in the uterus or from the milk, or from exposure to other infected animal or an infected animals stool.
- Keep the dog's living, sleeping and feeding areas clean. Remove all moisture as the worm's eggs dry out easily.
- Speak to your vet about a possible treatment - effective drugs are limited in availability.
- Keep up other worming and de-fleaing treatments regularly, to ensure good overall health of your dog.

Edit Method 5: Identifying Heartworms

Heartworms (Diflofilaria immitis) are potentially fatal but they are treatable.

Look for the following symptoms of heartworms:
- Swollen belly, accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Dull coat
- Coughing, labored breathing
- Spitting up blood
- Skin discoloration––bluish or purplish
- Fainting
- Nose bleeding
- Failure to grow (puppies)
- Lack of energy, intolerance of exercise or walking––a more active dog will be noticeably affected sooner than a less active one. Indeed, sedentary dogs may display few or no signs of infection.

Identify the heartworms. This worm cannot be seen with the naked eye. Moreover, the symptoms mentioned above will only appear in the advanced state of the infestation. This means that heartworms present a great danger to your pet and the focus should always be on prevention.

Prevent infection from heartworms. These worms are spread by mosquitoes, mostly in the warmer seasons of the year.
- Get rid of mosquitoes in and around your living areas.
- Begin heartworm preventive treatment at ages 6 to 8 weeks.
- Use a heartworm preventive treatment regularly (usually monthly); it is important to discuss this with your vet from the time you get your dog, in order to get the best advice on treatment type and regularity suited to your specific dog.
- Do a routine heartworm test (once a year). Talk to your vet about this.
- Treat your yard with pest control and use monthly flea control.

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Edit Tips

Have your vet do a fecal test every six months instead of every twelve months for complete certainty as to your dog's ongoing health.

Flea control is essential at all times of the year.

Avoid letting your dog sniff or eat feces and other dirt. This happens a lot with puppies and is a sure way of transferring unwanted parasites.

Learn as much as you can about your dog. The more you know, the better able you'll be to provide him with a happy and healthy life.

If your dog shows any sign of fatigue or diarrhea and vomiting, consult a vet immediately.

Avoid exposure of your dog to stray animals, rodents and death animals.

Have your vet perform a stool test every year, to diagnose the presence of these worms.

Pick up your dog's feces if you're walking with him.

Edit Warnings

Heart-worms will give your dog a heart attack if not discovered and treated in a timely way.

Roundworms and hookworms can be transmitted from dog to human, so you should be careful, and know how to handle your dog's feces appropriately. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned that you or any family members may have contracted worms.