You might not see them, but worms in dogs needs to be diagnosed before they get out of control.
Tapeworms are the only ones that can be diagnosed visually. You might even see small while bits, that look like rice, clinging to the fur under your dog’s tail.
The best way to diagnose worms in your dog is to have your veterinarian perform a fecal exam.
Your veterinarian will take a look at your dog’s feces or stool, under a microscope for the presence of microscopic worm eggs.
But remember, your dog may have worms, even though there are no eggs showing in the stool. Regular deworming with a wormer (prescription or non-prescription) is very important.
Be sure to take your dog for regular fecal exams to detect the presence of species of parasitic worms, which may not be killed by our usual wormers.
And be sure to talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog a non-prescription wormer.
Common Types of Worms
- Roundworms– The most common parasite of the digestive tract in dogs – are several inches long, look like spaghetti, and may occasionally be seen in the stool or vomit of an infected dog. Usually, though, you will not see them.
- Hookworms and Whipworms– Additional parasitic pests, are very small and virtually impossible to see in the stool or vomit.
- Tapeworms– If you look closely, you may be able to see segments of tapeworms moving around your dog’s anal area. If dried, they may appear as rectangular segments similar in size to a grain of white rice or a cucumber seed.
