how did my dog get roundworms?

Question

Ok, The vet says roundworms.....she is NOT a poop eater....I have not seen anything suspicious in her stool, but she has bad diarrhea. I thought you should be able to see roundworms in the stool?

thanks guys

she is 4 years old and on heartguard (just had a dose wbout 5 days ago). she eats top quality organic food. i have not seen any worms at all. we spend alot of time on walks and at parks, so i'm guessing she got it from grooming her paws or something...the vet sent us home with 2 meds. my other question....how contagious is it? i have another dog.

Answer 1

Roundworms (Toxocara canis) are common in dogs, especially young puppies. Roundworm eggs are found in the soil, where they can survive for years. The life cycle of the roundworm seems unnecessarily difficult. The dog swallows the eggs from nosing around on the ground or picking something up in her mouth. The eggs hatch into larvae, ride through the bloodstream to the lungs and from there up the windpipe, where they're swallowed again, return to the intestine, and become mature adult worms. Roundworm larvae can also be passed from mother to puppies through the placenta (the pups are actually born with roundworms) or through the mother's milk.

Adult dogs can carry roundworms without much in the way of symptoms. But puppies with a load of them may vomit, have diarrhea, and lose weight. They have a noticeable pot belly (more than the usual "puppy tummy"), their coats are dull, and they don't thrive like other pups. Occasionally, a dog may pass some of the worms in her stool. These worms look like strands of wriggling white spaghetti.

Responsible breeders and shelters check their dogs and puppies for roundworms and other parasites, and give them the regimen of medication to knock out the uninvited guests. Puppies should have had a fecal exam and worming before they're old enough to be adopted, although follow-up doses of the medication may be needed. As with other types of worms, good sanitation is the key to prevention.< http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-for-dogs-ga9.htm

Answer 2

Roundworms usually don't show up in the stool (or vomit) until they have a pretty heavy infestation. Vets tell if your dog has rounds by looking for the eggs in the stool.

They can pick up roundworms from anywhere, really. If your dog plays where other dogs poop (which can be anywhere, especially if there are many strays around) she can pick them up. Even if you don't see the poop, the eggs can remain in the soil for a long time.

They can also get roundworms from their mother so if she's a puppy and hasn't been dewormed yet, that's probably where she got them.

If she has pooped the roundworm eggs out in your yard, she can become reinfected at a later date so it's important to regularly deworm her OR keep her on a good heartworm prevention like Heartgard of Interceptor which also takes care of roundworms.

Answer 3

Poop eating hasn't got much to do with getting roundworms. Roundworm eggs are present on the ground and dogs can pick them up on their feet and ingest them very easily.

No, roundworms aren't apparent in the stool all the time. The only way you can tell for sure your dog even has any type of worm (except tapeworms) is by a fecal test. There are very often no outward signs.

Answer 4

No, you won't always see the worms in the stool. Not unless the infestation is severe or the worms are dead or dying. (you may notice them in the stool once your dog is dewormed because they are dying). What is seen on a fecal examination are eggs, the parasites will shed microscopic eggs which will show up in the stool periodically. Your dog does not have to eat stools to get roundworms. If your pet is a puppy he/she could of gotten them from her mother either in utero or through colostrum. Otherwise, the eggs can remain in the soil for a great length of time and if you frequent areas with high pet traffic it's a good possiblity that is where they came from. For future prevention it is a good idea you keep your pet on a heartworm medication like heartgard or interceptor because these medications contain ingredients that act as an intestinal dewormer as well as the ingredients that prevent heartworms.

Answer 5

They pick up roundworms from contaminated ground. If you took him for a walk, he can get exposed. Puppies are more succeptible. If you go to a dof park or it has been raining the exposure possibility is increased so after coming home, clean his paws. You can treat your yard too if that is the primary environment. Bottom line, you can reduce the risk, but it happens either way. And depending on where you live, the likelihood to contract can be markedly different.

Answer 6

Pups can actually get them from their mothers, either while in utero or even through the milk. She could have stepped in another dog's stool in the park then licked her feet, any number of ways.
The roundworm floats freely through the digestive tract; you are more likely to see them vomited out than in the stool. Looks like spaghetti or rubber bands when vomited.
Treat her promptly as they can transmit to humans as well.
http://www.petcaretips.net/roundworms_in_dogs.html
Relatively contagious esp if the eggs (found in feces) are ingested; can also be transmitted to humans.
I would scoop her poop and be sure and wash your hands afterwards. You might want to call the vet and ask if you can get a prophylactic dose of wormer for the other dog.

Answer 7

You can't see most worms in stool, sometimes you may see tapeworms(caused by fleas)
She may have picked the roundworms up from a public area that was contaminated. (on her feet, hair ect.) Not knowing how old she is its hard to say where she got them.

Answer 8

Not always. Most puppies have roundworms. They can be in the soil. Did your vet worm her? Sometimes that causes diarrhea.

Answer 9

well dogs can get worms by not takecare of very well by their owners. plus you shouldnt even feed youre dog any tables foods alll the time or even you should watch youre dog see her not picking things off the grounds or floors that willin harm the dog health. you should always clean out the dog dishes . dont let your dog chew or even eat anything thats outside of the yards .if you want to make youre dog get better i willin go to the pet shop and buy a box if heart worms, rounds worms medican box . you should ask youre vet doctor about it.

Answer 10

just from being outside. You should be able to see them but not always