Roundworms in Dogs Symptoms and Appearance Explained

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Posted Oct 31, 2024

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Dog looking out over mountains

Roundworms in dogs can be a real concern for pet owners. Adult roundworms can grow up to 12 inches long.

Their bodies are typically white or light brown in color and have a rounded or oval shape. They can be seen moving around in the dog's stool or vomit.

Dogs can get roundworms through contaminated soil, feces, or even eating infected prey. Symptoms of roundworms in dogs can include diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss.

What Are Roundworms in Dogs?

Roundworms are one of the most common intestinal worms in dogs. They live freely in an infected dog's intestine, feeding on partially digested food by absorbing nutrients through their skin.

These parasites are tubular, white or light brown, and spaghetti-like, and can be several inches long. Roundworms are often found in puppies, but adult dogs can also be infected.

There are two important species of roundworms: Toxocara canis (T. Canis) and Toxascaris leonina. T. Canis is the species that most commonly infects puppies and can be transmitted to people.

What Are Roundworms?

Credit: youtube.com, Roundworms in the Dog.

Roundworms are large intestinal parasites commonly found in puppies. They can also infect adult dogs, although it's less common.

There are two important species of roundworms: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina.

Toxocara canis is the species that most commonly infects puppies and can be transmitted to people.

Roundworms in Puppies

Roundworms live in the small intestines of puppies as adults, but they can also reside in other organs, including the lungs, in their larval stage.

Symptoms of roundworm infection in puppies may be non-existent, but when they do occur, they can include abdominal swelling, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, coughing, and lethargy.

Puppies can become infected with roundworms through several routes, including ingesting eggs on feces or vomit, eating a small rodent carrying larvae, or being infected through the placenta or nursing from an infected mother.

There are two common types of roundworms that infect puppies: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine.

Here are the two types of roundworms that infect puppies, along with their routes of infection:

Roundworm Symptoms in Dogs

Credit: youtube.com, Pet Tips - Roundworms

Roundworm symptoms in dogs can be quite varied, but some common signs include abdominal swelling, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, coughing, and lethargy. These symptoms may not always be present, but they can give you a clue that your furry friend might be infected.

If your dog is experiencing abdominal swelling, it's a good idea to take a closer look at their stool and vomit. You might be surprised to see adult worms lurking around - they're usually white or tan in color and can grow up to 7 inches long, resembling a plate of spaghetti.

Some dogs may exhibit respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, due to the larvae residing in their lungs. In severe cases, this can lead to more serious health issues.

Here are some common routes through which dogs can contract roundworms:

* RouteDescriptionPet eats pet eggs on feces or vomitToxocara canisPet eats a small rodent carrying larvaeToxocara canis and Toxascaris leoninePup infected with larvae from mother through the placentaToxocara canisPup infected with larvae from mother through nursingToxocara canis

Keep in mind that there are two common types of roundworms that infect dogs: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine. Knowing the lifecycle of these parasites can help you take preventative measures to keep your furry friend healthy.

Shawna Welch

Writer

Shawna Welch is a versatile and engaging writer with a passion for exploring complex topics in an approachable way. With a keen interest in animal behavior, Shawna has developed a niche expertise in canine behavioral issues, shedding light on common problems and offering actionable advice for pet owners. Her writing style is characterized by clarity, empathy, and a commitment to accuracy, making her a trusted voice in the field.

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