Life with a new puppy is anything but dull. There’s so much to think about, from what to name and feed your puppy, to housebreaking and vaccination.

And then, there’s the subject no one wants to think about but can’t afford to ignore... there’s a good chance your new puppy has worms.

ALL puppies have intestinal worms – or at least, canine intestinal worms are so common in puppies that it’s probably safer to assume your puppy has worms, and that you should act accordingly – safely deworm the puppy.

Worms in puppies - how do puppies get infected?

Young puppies are often born with intestinal worms transmitted to them...

• before birth: hormonal changes in pregnancy can activate worm larvae that had been dormant in the mother’s tissue for a long period of time. These larvae subsequently migrate through the placenta to infect the unborn puppies. They can also migrate to the mammary glands and infect nursing puppies;
• through their mother’s milk;
• from the environment, after they are born.

Young puppies are often not taken to the veterinarian before they are 6 to 8 weeks of age, and because there’s such a high rate of worms in puppies, they may already be actively contaminating the environment.

FACT: In 1996, a survey was conducted using stool samples from puppies, collected across the U.S. Results suggested that more than 30% of dogs under 6 months of age were shedding Toxocara canis (canine roundworm) eggs. Other studies have shown that virtually all puppies are born infected with Toxocara canis. (As reported by the Companion Animal Parasite Council.)

This is an important concern – especially since some canine intestinal worms can also infect humans through what is known as "zoonotic disease".

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The following are the most common symptoms of worms in puppies:

• dull haircoat
• bloated, round belly
• pale gums and anemia
• licking around the anus or dragging the bottom on the ground (“scooting”)
• crying when picked up
• diarrhea, blood or mucous in the stool, and vomiting
• weight loss or failure to thrive
• lethargy
• worm segments around the anal area (may look like grains of rice)
• worms in puppy stool or vomit
• coughing (if worms have migrated to the lungs)

In severe cases, canine intestinal worm infections can even be fatal to young puppies

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While all this talk about worms in puppies may be a little worrisome, don’t let it take away from your enjoyment of your new puppy!

Controlling intestinal worms is easier than you may think. It’s a matter of knowing what you’re up against, and what to do to get the upper hand. Here are a few suggestions:

• Pick up and dispose of feces immediately, before worm eggs and larvae have a chance to contaminate the environment.
• Don’t let your puppy eat feces.
• Keep your puppy on a leash, and learn to identify potentially contaminated areas (parks, kennels, “puppy kindergarten” – anywhere dogs congregate).

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As soon as your new puppy joins your household, take him to the veterinarian for a complete check up and vaccination.

It’s a good idea to bring a stool sample with you so the veterinarian can test it for evidence of canine parasites and determine your dog’s worm burden.

Start your puppy on a regular puppy wormer program, using an age-appropriate broad-spectrum dog dewormer that is effective against the major types of worms in puppies, according to the following schedule:

• at 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age.
• once a month until the age of 6 months (recommended by some dog health experts)
• at least every 6 months after the age of 6 months

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Make sure the puppy wormer you choose meets the following criteria:

• Safe for puppies and for worming pregnant dogs of all breeds, with no known interactions with other drugs
• Highly effective against the major intestinal worms that infect puppies and adult dogs
• Easy to administer at home

Safe-Guard® (fenbendazole) Canine Dewormer fits the bill. As an added convenience, it is available without a prescription at many pet, feed and hunting retail outlets, as well as online.

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