Roundworms are one of the parasites that most frequently affect our dogs, causing problems of various kinds, especially when they are puppies. Without us realizing it, our dog can be infested and transmit the worms to other animals, but also to humans. Children and people with a weakened immune system are especially vulnerable.
For all of the above, it is essential to know the types of roundworms, identify the symptoms they cause, know which treatment is the most appropriate and, above all, learn how to prevent them. In the following article on our site, in collaboration with the Deworm your pet campaign, we talk about the roundworms in dogs.
What are roundworms?
Roundworms are parasites which are also known as nematodesThey can be of various types. Ascaris or roundworms are the most common, affecting up to 12% of adult dogs and even up to 41% of puppies. They live in the intestine, but roundworms are also found in other locations.
Intestinal roundworms
We highlight the following types and species:
- Ascarids: such as Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina, which are large and appear similar to spaghetti.
- Hookhooks: such as Uncinaria stenocephala, Strongyloides stercoralis or Ancylostoma caninum, which can even penetrate through the skin. They look like small, thin worms and stand out because of their shape, which is why they are also called hookworms.
- Whipworms: They are known as whipworms. The species Trichuris vulpis stands out.
Non-intestinal roundworms
They are the ones that stay in the heart, lungs and eyes. Many of these worms are behind diseases considered emerging, which means that there are more and more cases and in more areas:
- Right heart ventricle and pulmonary arteries: parasites such as Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) or Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) are located here. It must be taken into account that the seroprevalence of dirofilariosis in people reaches 12.7% in endemic areas such as the Canary Islands.
- Lungs: Crenosoma vulpis, Filaroides hirthi or Capillaria spp. they are lungworms that contract through several routes.
- Eyes: Thelazia callipaeda (eye worm) lives inside the eye, causing damage of various kinds.
How does contagion occur?
Dogs and people can get roundworms from different routes.
How do dogs get roundworms?
Infested dogs shed roundworm eggs in their feces, even if we don't see them because they are microscopic. Outside, these eggs take a few weeks to become infective and can maintain this ability for years. They tend to be very resistant to both temperatures and disinfectants, which complicates their removal.
Dogs become infected by sniffing or licking the ground or any surface contaminated by feces, including food or water. Another route of infection is the ingestion of prey infested by these worms, such as rodents or any other animal, including snails or slugs. In addition, puppies can be infected from their mother during pregnancy or lactation. Heartworm filariae are transmitted by the bite of culicid mosquitoes and thelazias or eyeworms by flies that feed on eye secretions.
How do people get roundworms?
People are often infected by come into contact with soil that contains eggs of these wormsThis contact can occur, for example, when doing gardening activities. Children are more exposed, especially those under five years of age, since they tend to play with dirt in gardens, sandboxes or parks and, not being fully aware of hygiene measures, they can put their dirty hands in their mouths and accidentally ingesting the worm eggs. People with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly or sick, pregnant women, or kennel staff, are also at greater risk.
But how exactly is contagion? In the case of heartworms and eyeworms, as in dogs, people are infected with heartworms through the mosquito and thelazias through the fly, not through the dog. However, it is important to remember that it is essential to keep these parasites at bay in dogs to minimize their prevalence and prevent them from acting as reservoirs.
Symptoms of roundworms in dogs
The symptoms that we detect in our dog will depend on the organ that is affected by the parasites.
Intestinal roundworm symptoms in dogs
Many dogs infected with intestinal roundworms will show no clinical signs, especially if they are he althy adults. In others, especially puppies, digestive symptoms can be detected, such as swollen belly, diarrhea or vomiting. Some species cause bloody diarrhea.
Respiratory signs are also possible, such as cough and pneumonia, when the worms pass through the lungs as part of their development. It is not uncommon for puppies infested by these intestinal worms to have growth problems, anemia, malnutrition and even intestinal obstructionThe most serious can die.
Non-intestinal roundworm symptoms in dogs
For lung parasites, cough and exercise intolerancestand out as the most common signs, but coagulation problems can also be triggered. Heartworms cause heart and lung failure. The dog will have a cough and tire easily. Finally, the eye worm causes anything from a slight tearing to a corneal ulcer
Roundworm symptoms in people
In people, roundworms can cause different he alth problems whose severity will depend on the number of parasites, the affected organ and the state of the immune system of each individual. Normally, intestinal roundworm larvae migrate from the blood to different organs and tissues. They usually go to the lungs, where they cause clinical signs such as coughAnother location is the eyes, which can cause blindness The liver and the central nervous system are also places especially affected by roundworms. For its part, dirofilariosis can be asymptomatic or present with cough, fever or respiratory problems derived from the nodules that form in the lungs.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention subcutaneous larva migrans, a condition caused by worm larvae that move through the dermis and cause a lot of pain.
Diagnosis and treatment for roundworms in dogs
For proper treatment, the veterinarian will examine a faeces sample In this way, he will identify the worm and prescribe thecorresponding antiparasitic , also taking into account the characteristics of the dog. In the case of filariasis, it is necessary to examine a blood sample , while in thelaziosis the eyes are examined.
For more information on the treatment of non-intestinal roundworms, we talk about it in the following article: “GUSOCs: eye and heartworms in dogs”. For intestinal roundworms, as we have mentioned, the veterinarian will choose the best antiparasitic product. In severe cases, fluid therapy and even surgical intervention may be needed for intestinal obstruction.
Hygiene of the environment and regular deworming, according to the schedule recommended by the veterinarian based on the characteristics, lifestyle and place of residence of our dog, are the best way to keep scratches roundworms in dogs.
Importance of monthly internal deworming vs. quarterly
Monthly deworming offers the advantage of eliminating parasites whose life cycle takes approximately one month, such as Toxocara canis. This means that from the time the dog contracts the parasite until it begins to eliminate eggs, that time elapses. If we deworm every three months, we allow the eggs to spread in the feces and, therefore, in the environment for two months. By deworming every month adult worms are prevented from laying eggs, reducing their presence in the environment and, consequently, the possibility of infection of animals and people.
Monthly or continuous deworming is especially recommended for dogs at risk, which are those that live with children or immunocompromised people, freely access the outside, are working dogs, puppies or reside in communities. Those who live in areas with a high prevalence of these parasites are also at risk. For more information consult the web deparasitaatumascota.es and, of course, your veterinarian.
