By Dr Steve Surujbally
(Continued)
Today we’ll look at the specific symptoms of a roundworm infestation of our canine/feline wards, as well as comment on the possible treatment schedules associated with this scourge.
Symptoms
I had said in an earlier Pet Corner column that adult dogs do not seem to have much difficulty with a roundworm infestation, if the dog’s nutritional status is not greatly impaired due to an overwhelming worm burden. On the other hand, however, if there are scores of these one to seven inch-long worms in the intestine, their presence will compromise the absorption of food by and for the host. In fact, bundles of roundworms have been known to create actual intestinal blockage with all of the concomitant symptoms (vomiting, inappetence, wasting away, lethargy, etc) and dangers, even leading to death. In puppies/kittens, even a moderately heavy infestation could kill the animal. Generally speaking, most adult dogs and cats would have roundworms living in their intestines without much expression of ailment.
The Merck Veterinary Manual tells us that the first indication of infestation in young animals is the lack of growth and loss of condition.
Infected animals have a dull haircoat and often are ‘potbellied’ (drooping abdomen; Ascites). Worms can be vomited out or can be seen being discharged in the stool. Since the migrating larvae (immature stages of the roundworm) can damage the lungs, the latter can succumb to secondary bacterial and virus infections, and a pneumonitis can develop with an associated respiratory distress. The puppies cough up a lot of mucus and the breathing is laboured.
Diarrhoea (loose bowels) with lots of mucus (slime) often follows a roundworm burden. Sometimes worms are passed in the stool. They look like pieces of spaghetti which are alive and moving.
The definitive diagnosis can be made (in addition to actually seeing the worms in the faeces) by having a laboratory examine a stool sample. One can then actually see the very characteristically shaped eggs under the microscope.
In a nutshell, the classic clinical symptoms of a significant roundworm infestation are:
• Listlessness
• Dull hair coat
• Diarrhoea (sometimes with blood)
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of condition
• Drooping abdomen (pot belly)
• Coughing and generally difficult breathing
Treatment
Several dewormers are on the market. Most of them are designed to treat roundworms in humans. For this reason, you should contact your vet relative to the dosage rate for puppies/kittens. For example, if the dosage rate for a five-year-old, fifty pound child is one teaspoon of the deworming syrup, please do not think that 1/50 of the dose is what you have to administer to a one-pound puppy.
Furthermore, some of the dewormers have been on the market since Methuselah was a boy. No self-respecting worm which has built up an immunity over the years, will succumb to the dewormer.
I had mentioned that the deworming of the dam (mother) during and/or before pregnancy could reduce a roundworm infestation in unborn puppies. This is true, but do not believe that this deworming regime will positively (100%) ensure that the puppies in the womb will not be infected. No worm medication will work on encysted larvae, for example.
Bearing in mind, therefore, that many pups will be born with roundworms in their intestines, it is advisable to deworm the puppies as early as 2 (3) weeks of age and repeat the deworming 3 weeks later.
You may wish to have your vet check the stool for eggs. Once they are present, keep on with the deworming schedule every 3 weeks.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
