Roundworm
 Puppies |
 Dogs |
 Kittens |
 Outdoor Cats |
 Indoor Cats |
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Latin: Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina
All dogs and cats are at risk of roundworm infection, even indoor cats as eggs can be carried in on your shoes. These pinkish-white worms can grow up to a few centimetres long and live in your pet's intestines.
Adult dogs and cats rarely show symptoms when infected; they can shed eggs into the environment even without you knowing. So why worm them? See THE HUMAN RISK.
Puppies and kittens are very commonly infected, in these young animals worms can cause serious illness.
How will my dog or cat get a roundworm infection?
Pets can be infected by eating worm eggs which are present in the soil in large numbers. Puppies are very commonly infected while they are still in the womb and both puppies and kittens can have infection passed to them through the milk when suckling.
How will I know my pet is infected?
Adult dogs and cats usually carry infections without showing any signs.
Puppies and kittens could show the following:
- vomiting (with / without worms)
- diarrhoea
- a bloated / distended belly (from the size of the worms)
- lack of appetite
- failure to gain weight
What can I do?
The best advice to decrease the spread of roundworms is by treating your pet with a suitable worming product regularly.
You should speak to your vet to discuss a worming plan that is right for your pet and their lifestyle.
Fact to make you wriggle:
25% of dogs have roundworm eggs in their fur2
(2) Wolfe A, Wright IP. Human toxocariasis and direct contact with dogs. The Veterinary Record 2003; 152: 419- 427
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