testing for worms?

Question

Just brought home 9 week old boxer pup. When they went to vet for there 6 week check up...the vet said they didn't need to test for worms in the puppies due that both parents always tested negative. I am bringing my pup to the vet. Will he need to test for this. Or do you think it is unnecessary?

Answer 1

Well, of course, if the mother/father were tested and they were tested as not having worms IS NOT AN INDICATIVE that the offspring(your puppy) does not have worms.

Two things: Look at the stool of the pet and look CAREFULLY to see if any worms or larvae are present.. That is the best indicative as to whether the puppy has worms.. If you take it to the vet, he will get a sample of the stool and look at it under a microscope to determine if any larvae are present.

Yes.. you can take it to the vet for that determination but vets are so expensive and I could actually make that determination myself.

Answer 2

That is such a bunch of crap. Probably the backyard breeder did not even take them to a vet, or told the vet that they already wormed the puppies.
Even if the mom is wormed and tests negative for worms prior to breedeing, she can have encapsulated cycts in her mucsle tissue. The hormones of pregnancy cause them to be released into the milk and that is how the puppies get them. All puppies are presumed to have roundworms. The vet may just give you wormer. Usually puppies AND mom are wormed at 2,3,4,6,8 weeks. If the breeder did not do this, then just get a wormer from the vet. The wormer is very safe and it will save you them money for the fecal test.

Answer 3

Puppies often eat feces; their own and that of other animals. This is a prime behavior for contracting worms.

Most kennels, shelters and foster environments automatically worm pups with beef flavored paste that combats two of the three most common types of worms. There are no side effects of using the paste, and it offers peace of mind until the pups outgrow the feces eating behavior.

Paste is readily available at most pet stores. As for testing ... I would spare the expense and just pick up a six dollar tube of paste.

Answer 4

Just because the parents didn't have worms, doesn't mean the puppy doesn't. The pup could have picked them up elsewhere. It is not uncommon for puppies to have worms, and I think it is best to deworm them anyway. Talking with your vet is the best way to decide.

Answer 5

Checking for fecal worms is always best. They don't just get them from other dogs. They can get them from fleas, or walking through the park, or anywhere another infected dog has been. A fecal test is relatively inexpensive. I'm a vet tech and our clinic only charge $11-$15 for this.

Answer 6

Don't pay for the test just tell them you want him dewormed. It doesn't hurt at that age and unless there is something wrong where they may need to test for a different parasite just get it done. Most likely he was with other animals before you got him. worms are easily transmitted.

Answer 7

I agree with Torbay, that's crap. Almost all puppies have worms, it's unavoidable. If the mother had worms at any time in her life, she has some encysted and they pass to the puppies through the milk. Have the puppy tested.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/roundworms_in_dogs___puppies.html

Answer 8

Depends. If the dog has spent time outside, he may need to test for worms. Otherwise, probably don't.

Answer 9

Get your puppy checked just in case. Worms are one of those things that you would regret not catching early.

Answer 10

If you go to a good vet, they will advise you if testing is necessary. If you don't trust that they will give you the right advise I would find a new vet.