Expert: Patti - 6/15/2004

Question
Hi, I have 6 terrier/mix puppies that are 5 1/2 weeks old...I found worms,
they are long that look like spagetti...is this something bad..I found it
this morning when I was cleaning up.. can i buy something over the counter
for it...

Thanks

Answer
Hi Rosealie,

Congratulations on your puppies!

Puppies can be born to mothers that have had roundworms at any time in the past. The worms can be transmitted the puppies before birth. Another major source of worm infection for puppies is the mother's milk. Roundworm larvae may be present in the mother's mammary glands and milk throughout the period of nursing the puppies.

While there are over-the-counter worm medicines, their common use can result in a drug being applied to the wrong parasite, which may leave the real threat undiminished. Because infected dogs also often shed microscopic worm eggs, the best advice is to have the dog screened by a veterinarian.
The vet will take a stool sample and check it to see what kind of worms the pups have, and also check for worm eggs.

If left untreated heavy worm loads can seriously harm the puppies.

Puppies as young as 2 weeks old should be brought to the vet for de-worming, so you can see why you are having the "spaghetti"  problem now. Your poor puppies have it pretty bad by now.
The de-worming should continue every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old (since new worms hatch during the treatment... yuck!).

Some kinds of worms can be passed to humans(especially kids) through contact with dog feces or contact with contaminated soil. So be sure to wash your hands after handling the puppies.

While the three-inch adult roundworms are usually a minor problem for adult dogs, a serious infection of roundworms or hookworms can be life threatening to a puppy because of blood and protein loss, or dehydration. Hookworms present a far more serious threat to both the mother and puppies. These are blood sucking parasites and will cause a severe anemia and if not promptly treated death.

Love the puppy, but hate the worms!
Best of luck,

Patti