There are many types of dog worms that can affect your dog. One of the more common types of worms in a dog is the roundworm.  These types of worms are most common and are most often seen in puppies.  This small puppies and the newborn puppies can actually be infected by the mother. It actually takes a trained eye of an experienced veterinarian to determine particular the type of worm your dog has. The roundworm sort of looks like a piece of spaghetti, it is very slender in size and you will actually see it sometimes in this pool of your door.  Naturally a fecal exam by an experienced veterinarian will reveal these worms..

Another common type of worm that we see in dogs today is the heartworm.  Heartworms can be very dangerous, and if left untreated can prove fatal to your dog.  The heartworm is most commonly spread by mosquitoes and the heart worm literally ends up in your dog’s heart muscle.  These worms are not easily detectable and require a blood test.  This blood test is performed by your veterinarian and a trained laboratory expert.  If your dog does test positive for heartworms, the treatment can be quite extensive and quite costly.  Today, many veterinarians prescribe preventive medications that should be taken by your dog to prevent heart worms.

Whipworms are another type of worm that can affect your animal.  These are very long in shape and actually take the shape of a whip.  They take up residence in your dogs intestines.  Again, a fecal exam that has been done by your veterinarian is needed to make a positive diagnosis of whipworms.  If you see such symptoms as weight loss in your dog or possibly blood in their stools, this is a good indication that your dog most likely is infected with worms.

Hookworms are another parasite that can affect your dog.  Hookworms are very small and are specific to your dog’s intestinal tract.  The worms attach to the intestinal wall of your dog, and similar to a leech, they feed on the dog’s blood. Hookworms can be very dangerous for a newborn puppy, as they can actually kill the animal long before a veterinarian discovers the eggs. Pet owners should take much care when dealing with Hookworms, as they are not only contagious to other dogs but can be contagious to human beings as well.

Tapeworms are another common type of worm in a dog, and believe it or not ,they are transmitted through fleas of other animals.  In most cases the tapeworms set up home in and around the anus of the dog. These  little egg type sack’s resemble a sack containing small pieces of rice that may or may not move upon visual observation.  In most cases it will take the trained eye of a veterinarian to diagnose tapeworms.

Pet owners should have regular checkups for their dogs,  and it wouldn’t hurt if a fecal exam is performed during every routine visit.  Always remember, an ounce of prevention goes a long way.