INTESTINAL WORMS
Intestinal Worm Prevention and Treatment for Pets
Keep your pet healthy and parasite-free with expert worming solutions at Belmont Vet Hospital.
Understanding Intestinal Worms in Pets: Prevention and Risks
Intestinal worms are common in many animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, large animals, fish, reptiles, and birds. Regular deworming is essential for maintaining your pet’s health and reducing the risk of transmission to humans.
Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable to worm infestations. Intestinal worms are typically spread through dog faeces and can be picked up in environments such as your backyard or the dog park. In some cases, puppies and kittens may arrive at their new homes already infected.
In young pets or when worms are present in high numbers, they can lead to gastrointestinal disease, malnutrition, and anaemia. Even if there are no visible symptoms, intestinal worms can still affect your pet’s health, which is why regular deworming is so important.
Intestinal worms that can affect Australian pets
Frequent deworming effectively eliminates any existing worms, but pets can easily become re-infested if deworming is not maintained year-round. Some species of intestinal worms, like roundworms, can lay up to 200,000 eggs per day, contributing to reinfestation.
A consistent deworming program is crucial to reduce the number of eggs shed into the environment, protecting your pet and your family from potential reinfestation. Keep your pet healthy and parasite-free with regular deworming throughout the year.
Can You Get Worms from Your Dog?
Yes, many intestinal worms infesting dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from pets to humans. Different worms cause a variety of diseases, each with its own symptoms. While anyone can become infected by intestinal worms, children and the immunocompromised are particularly at risk.
One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of human exposure to worms is by regularly deworming your pet.
How to Reduce the Risk of Human Exposure to Worms:
- Routine deworming for all pets in your household
- Prompt disposal of pet faeces daily
- Encourage good hygiene - teach children to wash hands after playing outside, with pets, or before eating
- Prevent children from ingesting soil or pet faeces
- Cover sandpits and protect playgrounds and garden areas
- Dispose of dog faeces properly in public areas like parks and playgrounds
- Prevent scavenging and hunting by your pet
