How do I know if my dog has worms?
Dogs don’t always exhibit obvious signs. Even within normal bowel movements, there may be a parasite infection. When symptoms are present they can include diarrhea, or blood-tinged stool, mucus in the stool, weight loss, change in appetite, dull coat, abdominal or rectal discomfort, scooting and excessive licking or obvious irritation around the anus. Some parasites can cause severe blood loss and even death, especially in young, weak or malnourished pets.
Can I see worms in my dog’s stool?
Occasionally, worms may be seen in the stool of infected pets. Roundworms and hookworms will appear as off-white, spaghetti looking worms. Human infection with roundworms and hookworms is possible. Tapeworms will look like white or tan-colored rice and can be seen in the stool or clinging to hair around the anus. They may be moving and as they die can also appear to be brown.
Dogs become infected with roundworms by eating worm eggs from contaminated soil or stool, or by eating infected rodents. Hookworms are contracted by the ingestion of larvae or from larval entry through the skin, usually on the feet. Tapeworms require an intermediate host such as fleas and small rodents. Pets will become reinfested with tapeworms if these hosts are not controlled.
As long as your dog is showing no other symptoms you can bring your pet’s stool into the vet’s office and they can run a test to determine which worms your dog may have. Putting your dog on a prescribed course of a dewormer like Panacur C is an easy way to get rid of these intestinal parasites. It is a multi-purpose parasiticide that can destroy a variety of worms. Side effects, if any, are rarely a cause for concern unless of course, the dog is allergic to the medication.
Uses
Panacur C is essentially a deworming medication in dogs that is effective against a wide range of parasites. So, whether your pet is infected with roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms or hookworms, treatment with Panacur C is a canine broad-spectrum anti-parasitic therapy and is lethal against multiple parasites.
Mechanism of Action
The primary constituent of Panacur C is fenbendazole, which targets the proteins that the parasites use for their survival. Fenbendazole attaches itself to the protein, which prevents the parasite from absorbing food and generating energy. This eventually causes the parasites to die. The safety of fenbendazole has been evaluated in pregnant dogs. There is absolutely no risk of fetal damage when the medication is given in the right dosage to the dog.
Dosage
Panacur C is essentially a granular form that can be easily administered to your pet. The granules are palatable, and all you have to do is mix them in your pet’s favorite food. Just sprinkle it in the prescribed dose, and within a few days, you will notice a substantial improvement in your pet’s health. The anti-parasite medication is available in 1 gram, 2 grams, and 4 gram sachets. Usually, 1 gram of the medication contains 0.22 grams of fenbendazole. The medication is sold in packets, with each packet containing 3 sachets.
The dosage is prescribed according to the weight of your dog. For instance, dogs that weigh less than 10 pounds are prescribed a daily 1 gram dose, which is administered for 3 successive days. On the other hand, medium dog breeds weighing between 60 to 80 pounds are prescribed a daily dose of 8 grams for consecutive 3 days. So, you will be advised to mix a 4-gram sachet twice a day in your pet’s meal. A 3-day deworm treatment is usually enough to get rid of the parasitic infection.
Side Effects
In clinical studies conducted in the United States, among the dogs that were put on Panacur C, just about 1% suffered from a serious side effect that occurred in the form of vomiting. There have been sporadic instances of dogs suffering from loose stools when treated with Panacur C. On the whole, side effects from this parasiticide are rare when taken in the right dose. However, allergy to this medicine is a cause for concern as it can cause an adverse reaction that may manifest in the form of hives, facial swelling, and breathing problems.
Precaution
Feeding raw or undercooked meat that often contains worm larvae, is one of the most common causes of worm infections in dogs. During treatment and to prevent recurrence of parasitic infections, make sure you feed hygienic, well-cooked food to your pet. Since the infection can spread to a human through contact with dog feces, sanitation, and personal hygiene is extremely important. A great idea is wearing protective gloves while cleaning up dog feces and washing your hands properly before having meals is a prerequisite to avoid infection from dogs.
A point to note here is that Panacur C is available without a prescription, yet you need to consult your vet when using this deworming treatment. Your vet alone can decide the dose and the duration of treatment that works best for your dog.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.
