Vomiting worms is a sign that the dog is infested with these pesky intestinal parasites. Vomiting worms is commonly seen in puppies and roundworm is the most likely parasite. When you see the puppy vomiting 5 to 8 cm spaghetti-like worms, head to a vet at once so that the type of worm can be identified and the necessary treatments can be administered. Heavy worm infestation is life threatening and vomiting worm is a sure sign of serious infestation. Hookworm and roundworm infestations are especially dangerous as instead of going into the intestinal tract, these parasites can wind up in the brain and liver or in the other major organs of the host.

Worm infestation is common concern of pet owners as it is most prevalent in dogs. The good news is that worm infestation is treatable. Getting rid of the intestinal parasites of the pet is a quick and usually an inexpensive process. Early detection and treatment would be very important not only for the sake of the dog but for the family as well. Some of these parasites are zoonotic. The worm infestation of the dog can be transmitted to the human family thus immediate treatment would be needed to prevent the spread of infestation. The only problem dog owners have is recognizing the signs that the dog is infested given the fact that the infestation can be asymptomatic. Weight loss in spite of increased appetite, weakness, dull coat, vomiting and diarrhea can be symptoms of other diseases. Presence of worms in the anal area would create itchiness and discomfort. The dog would scoot and constantly lick the rear end. This behavior though can also be a manifestation of anal gland disorder. A dog owner will only be aware of worm infestation if the dog’s feces have spaghetti-like or rice grain like worms. A dog infested with tapeworms will be noticed to have grain-like objects clinging to the fur in the anal area. Bloated belly is a sign of worm infestation in puppies. Some dogs though would show no sign of worm infestation at all. Because not all worms can be seen by the naked eye, an appointment with a vet will be necessary because the treatment necessary to remove the infestation of the pet would depend on the type of worm it has.

The vet will require a fresh sample of the dog’s feces to be examined under the microscope. Fecal flotation will identify the parasite and the presence of eggs. Fecal smear is done to spot single celled parasites. These tests that will confirm the type of worms are necessary as different parasites would require different treatments. There are over the counter all wormers formulated to kill common worms like roundworms, whipworms and hookworms. These OTC medications are not formulated to kill a specific parasite thus longer treatment would be necessary. Administering the medications would not be a problem for the average dog owner as wormers come in flavored chewable tablets and commonly has to be given once a month.

Worms that live in the dog’s intestinal tract will deprive the dog of the necessary nourishment. This is why dogs infested with worms are weak and anemic and has poor coat quality. Feces of infected dogs would have larva of these parasites. Dogs have an unaccountable fondness for feces. To prevent the dog from ingesting feces it would be necessary to remove feces from the yard as soon as it is excreted. Worm infestation can be prevented by having the pet tested for worms at least twice a year Worm infestation can be treated easily but it is a dog owner’s responsibility to prevent re-infection.