roundworms

[Emily, Jace, & Maggie Devers]

I thought we had maybe dodged a bullet with Maggie but no luck, we have worms. :( I treated Maggie with safeguard(panacur) on Sunday for three days as a precaution and her stool has been normal, a little on the soft side every now and then but for the most part normal, and last night it was normal but something looked off so I looked closer and what do you know, there were about two or three worms in it, and when she went last night there were a couple more, still normal though. They weren't moving so I'm assuming they're dead... This morning she went and it had no worms in it that I could see... And those are pretty noticeable. But I've cleaned up the yard really good, and sprayed bleach where she had went in hopes of killing any larvae, and I'm wiping her butt and paws along with jaces paws when we come in now. I know the bleach thing may be a little drastic and may not even help but if dead grass is the cost for my peace of mind that's okay. Am I doing anything wrong, she's sleeping in her bed right now but once we get up for the day I'm washing it. Do I need to wash her stuffed toys and bleach her rubber ones? Also, I'm going to follow up treat her in two weeks just to deal with anything she may have recaught, and then after that how soon can she be given heartgard for prevention? Her mood and eating is normal, and her energy level is as wild as ever!:) I can tell she doesn't feel bad but I notice now how her belly was bloated before, since it's went down now. :P.. Ah, the joys of puppyhood......

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Roundworms are not as difficult to get rid of as giardia, and I don't think you have to worry about bleach, etc. The dog would have to ingest the eggs in order to become reinfected, so as long as you're cleaning butts and paws, and not allowing them to eat things in the yard, you should be okay. If there's a chance that the toys came into contact with any fecal matter, they do need to be cleaned. otherwise, not. 

I would have a fecal done before giving any more of Safeguard. 

[Emily, Jace, & Maggie Devers]

Okay, that's a relief... I'm washing her bed because the other morning she vomited in there and ate it up and I washed it then, but I'm going to again... Just in case, she's had no poo accidents in the house so nothing in here could have came in contact....well, some of Jace's toys may have because he's notorious in our house for sneaking them out there and leaving them in the yard while he goes.. so his are getting cleaned for sure. I'll get a fecal done before week 12 to see if anything is wrong before treating.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

hope all is well soon!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Sorry to hear this, hope she's better in no time!

[Dori Shults]

Feed her pumpkin from time to time, it's a natural wormer and most animals love it! It's all I do for my sheep and dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How could pumpkin kill worms? I've found "alternative health" info that pumpkin seeds can help to expel them from the body, but not the flesh of the pumpkin itself. http://superfoodprofiles.com/pumpkin-seeds-parasites-intestinal-worms

[Dori Shults]

You feed the whole pumpkin raw, they eat all of it. Pumpkins also contain antioxidants, as well as high levels of Vitamin A, both of which strengthen immune systems and help combat illness, we've never had any problem with worms - so I'm a believer. The seeds need to be raw to get the best results.

http://www.mauidogremedies.com/2011/10/healing-properties-of-pumpki...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, I'll stick with treatments that have some scientific or medical proof behind them, lol. I'm well aware of the nutritional properties of pumpkin, but worms have nothing to do with the immune system, and neither vitamin A nor antioxidants will kill them or have any effect on them. Worms are contagious, and I'd want to know for a fact that I was using a treatment proven to be effective.  Panacur is a good safe reliable treatment. My dog wouldn't go near raw pumpkin, let alone the seeds, anyway. 

 

[Dori Shults]

Yes it's is what you are comfortable with for sure! We have livestock and treat most things ourselves and with our large animal vet. Sheep get worms and they become resistant to chemical wormers, then you loose your flock. My LGD live with my sheep most of the time and they get raw pumpkin along with the sheep. We've done well for 5 years so far :) I also use it with the chickens as I won't use chemical in anything we eat. I feed all my dogs raw anyway so I'm not squeamish about it :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree,from a medical point of view it does not seem logical that pumpkin can do anything for worms. But yes it does contain vitamin A and antioxidants. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dogs could not absorb or utilize the vitamins or antioxidants from raw pumpkin, though. It would have to be cooked in order to break down the plant cellulose so that the nutrients were available, just like with carrots and other raw vegetables. 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

The author of the article referenced by Dori, Jt Clough, is a dog trainer.  The information in the article is taken from another publication that does not list the author.  That article does not reference dogs at all.

Although I searched the internet I was not able to find anything on Jt Clough credentials.

Sorry but you can't believe everything you read.