What is the best worming treatment for my pup?

Question

I found what looks to be roundworms in my puppy's stool yesterday. He's been dewormed about 3 weeks ago. I was told that Interceptor is the best at preventing and treating most worms. But it seems as though it also treats heartworms and I just bought a whole year's supply of Heartgard. Which is better, or can I use both? Is Interceptor that good at preventing heart worms?

Answer 1

DON'T USE BOTH!!! Stick to the Heartgard...it has general deworming and does take care of roundworms. Heartgard is more recommended as it tends to be more effective. If your puppy doesn't like Heartgard, I would then go with Interceptor. If the worms look like spaghetti, it is roundworms. They do poop out dead worms for a bit after deworming. Puppies usually need at least two rounds of dewormer, and you should recheck the stool sample two weeks after treatment....sometimes the first treatment doesn't get them all, and sometimes one type of worm will mask another type of worm. Have you given the first dose of Heartgard yet? If you have, that could be why you're seeing worms now...remember it's a dewormer. If you haven't given anything for deworming in the last 3 weeks, he probably needs it again...get a fecal sample to the vet. They'll let you know if he needs another round of dewormer, and can give you a method that is safe with Heartgard. Most dewormers are relatively cheap, and most vets won't require another visit this soon to give it to you. Also, sounds like he might be due for another round of vaccinations in about a week(depending on age and when you had him in)...you could do the fecal check and more dewormer then and save yourself a trip.

Answer 2

Call your vet. Take a stool sample in that is no more than 12 hours old and have the vet test it. Take the worm in, too, if you still have it, since tapeworms don't always show up in every stool sample. Interceptor helps to prevent heartworm, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. Heartgard helps to prevent heartworm, hookworms and roundworms, but not whipworms. Neither should be used to "cure" the roundworms. They help to prevent it, but nothing is 100 percent effective. If it's been three weeks since the last visit, is he due for his next round of vaccines? If so, you can take care of everything in one visit.

Answer 3

First off you will not see hooks. They are too small. If what you see is a short white worm then it's a tapeworm which they get from ingesting a flea that is carrying the larvae of a tape. You need to just call the vet and tell them what she has and go pick up a droncit or cestex tablet. Then be sure to use frontline or advantage for fleas. What you see is actually a segment of the worm. The worm itself is quite large.
Interceptor kills whips as well as hooks and rounds. So stay with heartguard unless you have a problem with whips. Most dogs don't. If what you saw looks like spaghetti then that is a round worm and if it was dead don't worry about it as she is passing them from being wormed. Having said that, all dogs need to be wormed 2 weeks after the first worming.

Answer 4

I would use interceptor, but don't do both. That could be deadly. It's like taking twice the amount of a recommended medicine.

Answer 5

Heartgaurd is fine for heartworms I have used it for more than 17 years. It works just as well as Interceptor.
Both should also work for other types of worms as well.

Answer 6

We treat our pups with DRONTOL (which your veterinarian can provide to you). We give two treatments, 2 weeks apart.

Before giving your dog too many different medications, check with your veterinarian. Some medications can interact badly with one another.

Answer 7

ask your vet or go online to get more info on the two treatments
Good Luck!!