Worming question

[elvis_baby]

I normally write on the calendar when Elvis is wormed, however for some reason the last time I done it I did not mark it down! I think he is due another lot, however if I do give it to him and is not due can it harm him in anyway?

 

[boxer]

I'd be more inclined to think de-worming him when he doesn't have worms would be harmful. Had you thought of having his stool tested instead, and de-worming only if it's actually necessary - giving meds only for those parasites (if any) he's actually got?

 

[elvis_baby]

We normally use the Pedigree Chum Worming tablets, which say to use them every 3 months to prevent worms.

 

[boxer]

LOL - yes, of course it does But that's the drug manufacturer talking.

But is your dog actually at risk of contracting worms in the first place? Beyond deworming as puppies, most vets (as opposed to drug manufacturers) will recomend that dogs are de-wormed only when they actually have worms. And it's a simple enough matter to test them for it. Unless the animal is in an environment where it is at high risk of contracting worms, of course, in which case preventative de-worming can be appropriate.

When it actually is necessary to de-worm, I would also use products prescribed by your vet. Not the stuff you find in the supermarket - it's ineffective. The only products you get over the counter like that are the ones that have been on the market for so long that the worms are resistant anyway. Vets don't charge extortionate sums for dewormers, so it's better to use the decent stuff.

 

[KonaKoffe]

Beyond the intial deworming they get as a puppy we have never had our dogs dewormed. I would only specifically deworm them if thier stool tested positive for worms.

As a side note:
You should check what brand of heartworm preventative you are using. Many of the brands also act as a monthly dewormer for intestinal worms. Check out the manufacturer's website.

 

[gmacleod]

As a side note:
You should check what brand of heartworm preventative you are using. Many of the brands also act as a monthly dewormer for intestinal worms. Check out the manufacturer's website.

You don't commonly get heartworm in the UK, so it is unlikely that anyone is using monthly preventatives here. Well, not unless they travel frequently to continental Europe with their dogs, anyway

 

[Lola's mum]

I've got the same problem, I've been worming Lola once a month (with Milbemax from the vets) as recommended by my vets but when she hit 6 months the vet said she didn't need to be wormed once a month anymore but I don't know how often to do her now. My other dog gets wormed every 3 months, do I worm Lola the same now?

 

[gmacleod]

...the vet said she didn't need to be wormed once a month anymore but I don't know how often to do her now.

My recommendation would be never. Unless she actually contracts worms. Have her stool tested a couple of times a year instead, and deworm only if she's got worms to kill. Unless you're in a high risk environment, that will probably mean never.

What is the point of firing nasty chemicals (poison) into your dog's system on a regular basis if it isn't even needed? If nothing else, that's just going to create worms that are resistant (same as overdosing on antibiotics - that's how you get superbugs). Do you de-worm yourself as a pre-cautionary measure just as often?

 

[KonaKoffe]

You don't commonly get heartworm in the UK, so it is unlikely that anyone is using monthly preventatives here. Well, not unless they travel frequently to continental Europe with their dogs, anyway

Oops! Good to know. Lucky for you all! One less problem to worry about.

 

[crazychopper]

deworming

Not doing a monthly dewormer can be dangerous to your family, remember some worms are zoonotic and if you have kids their at higher risk. Only deworming when worms are fecal is risky because eggs are not shed every day and no fecal is ever 100% negative. there are just no eggs seen at that time. There is 300,000 roundworm eggs per 1 inch of dirt GROSS