Worms after deworming?

Question

We just got a puppy that's a chihuahua and cocker spaniel mix. Her records show that she's do for another deworming in a couple weeks. She was sitting in my lap, and when she got up, there was a lone, white worm on my lay where she sat. We checked her stool, and there weren't any little worms in there, but it's been twice that's she gotten up, and a little worm has been left behind. We haven't even had her 24 hours. Can I get her dewormed tomorrow? If she rubbing her booty along the carpet when it itches, is she spreading worm eggs? I have an 8-year-old, and now I'm concerned. Do I have to have the entire house dewormed? I'm nervous because this is the first time I've ever had a puppy myself? Please help.

Also, the worms that she left on my lap were alive. The first worm I put in a ziplock, and about 20-30 minutes later when I looked at it again, the worm split into 2 worms!

Answer 1

Sounds like she's passing tapeworm proglottids. They present no danger to your or your children. The only way you can get them is to eat a flea, which I doubt that you'll do. ;-)
Regular deworming protocols do not deworm for tapeworms, so I doubt that she's been treated.

Dead adult worms do NOT generally come out after a proper deworming...they are normally digested/absorbed internally once they die. Every once in awhile, dead/dying roundworms *might* be passed 12-24 hrs after deworming.

But none of that really matters. What matters is that you just got a new puppy. Regardless of when she's supposedly "due" for anything (since breeders often get that wrong), you need to take her in to YOUR veterinarian for a new puppy exam and fecal. You would be amazed how many puppies that have been 'dewormed' show presence of ALL of the types of worms on their fecal tests. That means they either were not dewormed at all, or were given an ineffective medication, or a good medication at an ineffective dose. Make sure you tell them about these worms (or take one with you in a baggy to show them), because tapeworms don't lay eggs the same way other worms do....hence they generally don't show up on routine fecal tests.

You should get all new puppies/kittens/dogs/cats checked out by your DVM within 24-72 hrs, in order to prevent a lot of potential health headaches for yourself. There are important things other than deworming that need to be addressed/checked for.

Here's a great website for new puppy families: http://growingupwithpets.com/


ETA: If it 'split' into 2 worms, then she definitely has tapeworms. They are segmented. Here, look at this graphic to understand:http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tapeworm.html
Not to worry....they are gross, to be sure, but more of just a nuisance than anything. Make sure you get her checked out as I said above. It's the worms you CAN'T see that can kill her.

Answer 2

Deworming goes in stages for the very reason you speak of. . .you have to deworm to get rid of the worm that is laying the eggs and then you have to worm to get rid of larvae etc.
The worms you have seen may be the dead ones making their exit.
Unless you are right there when the dog does it's business you would probably not see any additonal worms as they seem to disappear shortly after exiting the body in the stool.
To worm a dog too strongly or too soon can harm the dog and the protocol needs to be followed.
Make sure that a vet did the deworming as home deworming can often times fail either because the doseage was not enough for the dog or because the medicine given wasn't for that particular worm.(There are several different worms that can attack a dog's system,all of them being bad but heartworm is the worst.Only a blood test can determine which worm your dog has.)
The dog scoots it's butt so as to scratch because of the movement of worms around the anus.
Dogs also scoot if the anal gland is engorged. Alot of vets/groomers express this anal gland for the pet owner if the need is there and this will eliminate some of the scooting.(Seems like small breed dogs have this problem more often than larger breeds but it is not limited to small breeds.)
The worms have to have a host to live off of and the intestines of the dog is usually the host so I doubt you will have to deworm the house.Usual cleaning/sweeping should be enough.
The only way you would have to worry about your child getting this particular type of worm would be if the child is ingesting the worm or it's eggs.
Always be sure that your child washes his hands properly after handling the dog and keep fingernails clean as well as this is a good hiding spots for eggs and since some children are nail biters this is often the place where they ingest them from.
Worming a dog IS an important thing to do because an undiagnosed wormy dog is likely to eventually die from the draining of nutrients that the worm takes from the dog.
A wormy pregnant dog will pass worms to her unborn puppies and they can really suffer the most left undiagnosed and or untreated.

Answer 3

all puppies have worms. most breeders have dewormed their pups at least once before adopting them out. The medication they get from the vet is quite strong and usually does the trick. If however, you go to a pet store and purchase a deworming medication you may have to give it to them two or three times depending on the medication. With each deworming the problem becomes less and less. As for the 8 year old. There should be no problem. I would ask the child to refrain from touching the backend of the dog. Do you have to deworm the house. Washing the area with some bleach in the water should do the trick. Don't panic. But I would deworm the dog again.

Answer 4

This is perfectly normal. The point of the dewormer is to get rid of the worms. The dewormer kills the worms and then your puppy is able to pass them through which is why they are in his feces. Live worms are able to reproduce and move throughout the intestines so the fact that your puppy can pass them is a start to his recovery.

Answer 5

Wnen dogs are wormed, depending upon the type of worm you can see worms being passed but what you are describing sounds like it could be tapeworms. Sometimes you can see them wriggling at the anus or on the carpet after a dog sits. When they go to the bathroom, look at the stool immediately afterwards and see if you notice something that looks like white rice. These are tapeworm segments and they dry up real fast. So look just after she goes. Tell your vet about this because a different medicine is used to get rid of these. Also dogs often need to be re-wormed sometimes a few times depending on how bad the infestation is. I got all three of my dogs as rescues and they had to be wormed and re-wormed after they had been wormed at the shelter.
Tapeworms are contracted from dogs ingesting fleas. You may need to treat the dog with a flea preventative as well.
Definitely tell your vet about this as she needs to be treated. For a kid to get tapeworms they would have to ingest fleas. That is rare. Other kinds of worms can be passed to children but if you have had your dog treated for these kinds the kids should be fine. Again, ask your Vet and tell them your concerns about this.

Answer 6

What kind of worm and was it alive or dead?

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After deworming, matured worms that die will come out. But if they are still alive then she needs to go in again.

And Roundworm do not usuall come out with stool. so checking it will not likely help.

Answer 7

most dogs have worms anyways if they ever go outside. the puppy seems to need another treatment but i would check with a vet first to make sure that it is ok to treat her so soon and to see if there is anything you might be able to give her for the itching if you cant deworm her.

Answer 8

Take her to the vet with a stool sample, just pick up a pile in a plastic ziplock bag, (it should be as fresh as possible). He/she will be able to check the sample under the microscope to see if there are any live worms and will be able to give her something. Worms are spread from animals to humans, so you are right to be concerned. It sounds gross and it's not healthy, but it's not the end of the world. Your human family members can get medication to combat the worms in yourselves as well.

Answer 9

Well, if the worm was dead, I wouldn't be too concerned. After all, the wormer does not magically make the worms disappear. It just kills them and when they die, they have to come out somewhere.
If it was alive, call your vet. Tell them what you saw. If you know when your puppy was given the wormer, tell them that as well. As far as sanitation goes, just make sure that everyone washes their hands after handling the puppy and before eating, etc.

Answer 10

I have found in the past that is you give the animal garlic it will kill the worms. I must be cloves! I don't belive that worms are a big deal.