What to do if you see worms in your dog’s poop

No dog owner is excited to learn their dog has worms. Unfortunately, intestinal worms are a common occurrence in our dogs. If you have a dog, read on to learn:

• Can I see worms in my dog’s poop?
• Do I need to see a vet for my dog’s worms?
• How to collect a stool sample from your dog correctly
• How are intestinal worms treated?
• How did my dog get worms?

While worm infestations usually do not cause noticeable symptoms in dogs, intestinal parasites must be controlled to prevent the spread of parasites to humans and other pets. Treating and preventing worms in dogs is easy and safe when done properly. It is important for pet parents to know what to do if they find worms in their dog’s stool or suspect a worm infection.

Most intestinal worms are not routinely seen in a dog’s stool unless the dog is hosting a large worm population, which is referred to medically as having a “heavy worm burden”. Tapeworms are the only worms frequently found in a dog’s stool as they shed egg packets called segments. These segments appear like grains of rice in the stool. Other common types of worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, typically stay in the digestive tract and shed only microscopic eggs that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

After a dog has been dewormed and begins passing any worms in their system, dog owners may find adult worms in their stool. This means the dewormer is doing its job. Other types of parasites can affect different areas of the body, including heartworms and worms in the eyes or skin. Diagnostics and treatment vary depending on the type of worm and its location.

Another factor to keep in mind is flies and other insects often lay eggs outdoors in dog feces. These eggs quickly hatch into larvae that may be confused with intestinal worms. As mentioned above, intestinal worms are not usually visible in dog feces at all. When present, only worms visible in fresh feces point to the intestines as the source, while worms or maggots in feces that have been outside for hours or days are likely to be from the outdoor environment.

Are there other clinical signs of worm infestations in dogs?

In otherwise healthy adult dogs, intestinal worms are usually asymptomatic. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Over-grooming of the anus or scooting
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Distended “pot belly”
• Blood in stool or bloody diarrhea

If a dog with a worm infestation gets an upset stomach, adult worms can appear in their vomit as they are forced from the intestinal tract. With severe infestations, intestinal blockage, malnutrition, and anemia in dogs can occur. Young puppies, tiny or toy breeds, elderly dogs, and dogs with underlying health issues are the most likely to display symptoms of an intestinal worm infestation.

“Intestinal parasites are extremely common, and dogs are frequently exposed,” explains Vetster veterinarian Jo Myers. “It’s important to keep your dog on year-round broad-spectrum parasite control because you can’t conclude your dog doesn’t have worms even if their stool looks normal.” Parasite preventative medication is the best way to prevent infestations and protect the pets and people in your household, so talk to a vet if you haven’t already got your pet on a safe and effective product.

Talk with a vet if you see tapeworm egg segments in your dog’s stool, if they have vomited an adult worm, or if your dog exhibits other symptoms. Many over-the-counter broad-spectrum dewormers are safe and effective, but getting advice from a qualified veterinarian to learn which one to use and the right dosage for your dog is helpful. Most intestinal parasite infestations show no symptoms and are only discovered through routine fecal exams. A virtual vet appointment is a great way to quickly get advice from a vet about dewormers and parasite control for your dog.

How do veterinarians diagnose and treat intestinal worms in dogs?

Intestinal parasites are so common in dogs that vets often recommend routine prevention or deworming medication without diagnostic testing. Puppies are routinely dewormed with oral medication at wellness checks without any diagnostics or tests due to the high likelihood of parasitic worm infestations. If called for, diagnostic testing is primarily used to identify microscopic eggs in a stool sample.

It is important to keep a dog on parasite preventative and deworm them when necessary for their safety and the safety of the humans living near them. Roundworms and hookworms in particular can spread to people, especially young children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. The CDC recommends routine deworming and parasite control for all companion dogs and cats to help prevent human exposure.

How to collect a canine stool sample correctly

Worm eggs are shed through dog feces, which is why stool samples are used to diagnose worms. It is important to collect stool samples correctly to avoid contamination of the sample which can cause inconclusive test results. Inconclusive tests often result in a need to pay for a new test on a fresh sample, which is frustrating for pet parents.

To ensure the best chance of collecting an uncontaminated stool sample

• If possible, provide a sample from the same day as the vet visit
• If you must collect a sample in advance, store it in the fridge, not the freezer
• Place the sample in a clean, sealed container or bag. Your vet can provide you with a laboratory sample cup for best results
• Do not use paper towels or other absorbent material when picking up the sample
• Do not provide the entire bowel movement for testing. A one-inch square (less than a tablespoon) is enough

Can I treat my dog’s worms at home?

Treating worms from home is possible, but you still need veterinary guidance to ensure your pup is getting the care they need. An online vet can walk you through collecting and sending fecal tests to check for parasites and recommend a safe and effective dewormer to treat your dog for worms at home. Many different types of dewormer medications are available over-the-counter, so a veterinarian's guidance is the best way to choose the best one for your pet.

Trendy natural remedies make many health claims, including deworming. Natural remedies, like diatomaceous earth, have not been shown to be effective and some may be unsafe for dogs. It’s best to steer clear of natural products if you want an effective and safe dewormer for your pup.

Intestinal parasites lay thousands of eggs that are extremely hardy and can survive in the environment for months. Dogs catch most worms by ingesting parasite eggs from the environment. Tapeworms are the exception to this. Tapeworms are transmitted when a dog ingests infected fleas or prey animals. Tapeworms do not infect dogs by direct ingestion of worm segments in stool.

Whipworms and roundworms are spread through contaminated soil. Dogs catch roundworm infections by grooming themselves after being in contact with contaminated soil or objects, walking across contaminated soil, or ingesting old, contaminated feces. Dog owners must remember that even if a dog’s fur and toys appear clean, they can easily be contaminated with feces and worm eggs.

Hookworms are also spread through ingesting contaminated soil or old droppings from other infected dogs or wild animals. In addition, hookworm larvae in the environment can burrow through a dog’s skin. Humans can catch hookworms the same way.

Can I prevent intestinal parasites in my dog?

Intestinal parasites are extremely common in dogs. Dogs are continuously exposed and re-exposed to worms in their environment. Puppies can even be born with worms, passed to them from their mother in the womb. Routine and ongoing flea and intestinal worm prevention is essential to preventing dogs from catching intestinal parasites. In addition to broad-spectrum parasite control, the risk of intestinal worms can be minimized by:

• Picking up dog poop in the yard daily
• Avoiding raw diets or raw meat
• Preventing dogs from ingesting wild prey animals
• Keeping your dog on a leash and teaching them to “drop it”

Routine fecal tests do not prevent a dog from catching worms but are crucial to catching infestations so they can be properly treated. The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends fecal tests four times a year for puppies under one-year-old and twice a year for adults. Adult dogs not on ongoing parasite control require more frequent testing.

Vetster offers quick and easy virtual vet appointments for advice on safe and effective deworming and parasite control products.

How do I get rid of worms in my dog?

Broad-spectrum dewormers provide a safe and effective way to deworm a dog with intestinal worms. For tapeworms, flea control is also recommended since consuming fleas is a common source of exposure. Many dewormers work against only a few different types of worms, so it’s important to know what kind of worm(s) your dog has to determine a treatment plan.

What happens if intestinal worms go untreated in dogs?

Healthy adult dogs are often asymptomatic when they have intestinal worms. However, dogs with heavy worm burdens, young puppies with worms, senior dogs, and dogs with underlying health conditions can develop clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and blood in the stool. Severe cases can result in anemia, intestinal impaction, and malnutrition. Dog owners can even spend more money on dog food due to tapeworms stealing nutrients from a dog’s intestinal tract, resulting in increased appetite and a need for more food.

Can humans catch worms from dogs?

Yes! Roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms can be easily spread by dogs through their feces and shedding eggs around the home. Parasite preventative medication and deworming treatments, when needed, are the best way to prevent humans and other pets from catching worms from dogs.

What do worms look like in a dog’s poop?

Tapeworms are the only intestinal worm that routinely passes visible segments in the stool. Tapeworm segments look like small grains of rice. Dogs with heavy worm burdens or those who have been recently dewormed can pass other adult worms that can look like small strands of spaghetti or threads in the stool.