Understanding Common Worms in Pets

Roundworms and hookworms are common intestinal parasites that can affect pets. To combat these worms, we recommend using preventive medications such as Heart Guard Plus, Interceptor, Sentinel, and Revolution. These products not only protect against heartworms but also eliminate the need for routine fecal examinations and separate deworming treatments. If your puppy experiences persistent diarrhea, we encourage you to bring in a small fecal sample. This will help us check for less common parasites that may require specific treatment.

If you notice small, white worms measuring about half an inch or less, these are likely segments of tapeworms. It’s important to inform us if you see these in your pet's feces, as we can provide effective medication. Prescription tapeworm medications are safe, efficient, and cause no discomfort. In contrast, non-prescription remedies often fail to work and can lead to intestinal cramping and diarrhea.

Heartworm disease has become a significant concern in Northern California due to the prevalence of certain mosquito species that transmit the infection. Dogs that do not receive preventive medication-especially those that spend time outdoors-are at higher risk. If detected early, treatment may save your pet, but it can be challenging, risky, and costly.

Prevention
We strongly recommend using Interceptor, Heart Guard Plus, Sentinel, or Revolution for effective heartworm prevention. These medications are safe, easy to administer, and should be given monthly without fail. Additionally, they protect against other intestinal worms like hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms, making them an essential part of your pet’s health regimen.

Testing
Heartworm disease can be difficult to detect since adult worms reside in the heart and their offspring circulate in the bloodstream. We typically cannot identify heartworms until about six months after infection. This means we may not know if puppies already have heartworms when starting preventive medications. Although the risk of infection in puppies is low, we recommend testing around fifteen months of age, coinciding with rabies and distemper booster vaccinations. Afterward, we advise testing every two years to ensure ongoing protection against the possibility of missed doses or medication failures.