Intestinal worms in pets can cause disease that ranges from mild to potentially fatal, particularly in young, malnourished pets. When it comes to these nasty parasites, there are a number of different types you need to be aware of. Luckily, treating and protecting your pets from worms is usually straightforward.
Roundworms: Adult roundworms are long, white and spaghetti-like, and live in the intestinal tract.
Hookworms: Much shorter than roundworms, hookworms have sharp, biting mouthparts which they use to attach to the intestinal wall to feed on blood. In severe infestations, the level of blood loss can be fatal.
Whipworms: Whipworms are an important cause of disease. Adult whipworms live in the large intestine where their thin head burrows into the intestinal wall.
Tapeworms: Tapeworms do not generally cause significant signs of illness in dogs. The flea tapeworm, the most common tapeworm, is transmitted by fleas. If your pet is infested, you may notice them scratching or licking their bottom, and you may see worm segments in their feces.
To see a map of the parasite cases in the United States, Ohio, and your county!
