🏥 Health
Moderate to high
Worms in dogs: how to identify, treat and prevent
80% of dogs will have worms in their lifetime. Treatment costs R$ 15-60 per dose. Prevention is 10× cheaper than treating complications (severe anemia, intestinal obstruction, zoonotic giardia).
🚦 Urgency triage: yellow vs red flag
🟡 Yellow flag — monitor / vet in 24-72h
- bloated belly puppy / soft stools
🔴 Red flag — emergency NOW
- bloody stools / vomit with worms / apathy + pale gums
Main worm types
| Worm | Transmission | Typical signs |
|---|---|---|
| Roundworm (Toxocara canis) | Placenta, milk, soil | Bloated belly in puppy, vomit with worms |
| Hookworm | Contact with contaminated soil | Severe anemia, bloody diarrhea |
| Tapeworm (Dipylidium) | Flea ingestion | Movable segments at anus, itching |
| Giardia (protozoan) | Contaminated water/food | Chronic diarrhea, gas, ZOONOSIS |
| Heartworm (Dirofilaria) | Mosquito bite | Cough, fatigue, collapse |
Deworming schedule
- Puppy at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days
- Adult: every 3 months (contact with other dogs)
- Adult: every 6 months (apartment, no contact)
- Pregnant female: before heat + 40 days pregnancy
- Always rotate active ingredient (avoids resistance)
Warning signs requiring immediate vet
- Fresh blood or very dark stools (melena)
- Vomit with visible worms
- Very bloated belly in puppy (obstruction risk)
- Extreme apathy + pale gums (anemia)
- Dog scooting and scratching anus
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an indoor dog need deworming?
Yes. Fleas and mosquitoes enter through windows. Giardia contaminates water from poorly-cleaned bowls.
Does the dewormer kill heartworm?
No. Heartworm needs specific meds (Ivermectin/Milbemycin monthly). Regular dewormer is for intestinal worms.
Puppy vomited the dewormer, redose?
If vomited within 1h, yes (full dose). After 1h, no — partially absorbed.
Did my dog get worms from me or vice versa?
Yes, some species (Toxocara, Hookworm, Giardia) are zoonoses. Wash hands after cleaning stool, teach kids, keep deworming current.
Is natural deworming a thing?
Some herbs (pumpkin, garlic) have weak effect. Don't replace veterinary dewormer. Dangerous to rely on alone.