Identifying Internal Parasitic Worms

As owners of hunting dogs we knowingly put our faithful four legged partners in harm’s way. Whether it’s a boggy marsh or thorny field, the very environment we hunt exposes our dogs to a myriad of potential parasitic problems. It is up to us as conscious owners to become highly educated to identify symptoms and fulfill the proper treatment to ensure our dogs are the healthiest they can be. There is never a substitute for the years of training from a skilled veterinarian. If you suspect any of the following, I recommend seeing your vet as soon as possible. Yes, there a tons of great over-the-counter products produced to subdue parasitic worms but without a vet’s sign off, a self diagnosis can do more harm than good to your dog.

Roundworms: are the most common internal parasite found in dogs. They are general long and resemble spaghetti. They are often coughed up or seen in the stool. However, a positive diagnosis will require a stool examination by a vet. Dogs acquire roundworms through contact with soil containing roundworm eggs or by ingesting fecal matter from other dog with roundworms.

Tapeworms: live in the dog’s small intestine. There are generally two types of tapeworm that can infect a dog, and fleas carry the most common type. Hunting dogs who eat wildlife infested with tapeworms or fleas can also infect themselves. Tapeworms are made up of segments that resemble grains of rice that can grow to over 30 inches long! It is usually possible to see segments in stool. Again, a positive diagnosis will require a stool exam by a vet.

Hookworms: are common in warm, humid climates, but exist all over North America. They are transmitted through chance skin penetration by the immature larvae or through ingestion of contaminated feces. The worms latch onto the intestinal wall using rows of “teeth”. Their bodies are less than an inch long with a bend or “hook” in the front. Hookworms are difficult to see in your dogs stool but if you do suspect them, take a sample into your vet immediately.

Whipworms: are the hardest to detect at times because the number of eggs shed are low and they are shed in waves. Adult whipworms look like pieces of thread with one end enlarged. They develop when a dog swallows whipworm eggs passed from an infected dog. Direct symptoms may include diarrhea, anemia, and dehydration. Once again, if you suspect ANY type of intestinal worm infestation it is best to take a fecal sample into your vet immediately.

Heartworms: are deadly to dogs but can be easily prevented. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and is more common in warm, humid areas. Heartworms resemble spaghetti and live in the pulmonary arteries of the heart. Only a vet can diagnose heartworm correctly and administer a monthly or daily medication to eradicate them. Dogs should be tested annually or at minimum every two years. All dogs must be on a monthly heartworm preventative such as Heartguard or Sentinel. These are vet prescription only drugs.

General Symptoms of Parasitic Worms:
Bloating, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dull Coat, Decreased Energy.




Early season or warm climate hunts add to the probability of encountering parasitic issues.



Ringworm: is NOT AN INTERNAL PARASITIC WORM. I wanted to add it here just to clarify this myth. It is fungal skin infection that lives in hair follicles, causing the hair to break off. It is most common to see the disease on the head, ears, tail and front paws. The disease looks like a circle on the dog's skin with raised edges. It looks like the hair has been removed in a circle or patch with a pale spot at the center. Common ringworm in dogs symptoms include crusty skin, scaling and some redness. Odd shapes usually mean that multiple lesions joined together. Take your dog into the vet immediately as ringworm can be very discomforting (itchy) for your dog and can be passed to you and other humans upon direct contact.

Even if your dog does not show any of these symptoms I recommend having their stool examined by a vet at least twice a year. I general have my dogs checked as part of their “prehunting “ season check up and then again shortly following the season when they go in for their “posthunting” follow up wellness exam. When taking a fecal sample it is imperative NOT to allow your dogs stool to touch the ground. Contaminated soil could come into contact with your dog’s actual healthy feces and result in a false positive test. An inside out sterile baggy, quick timing, and a cooperative dog are needed to make this happen! As you have read, it is imperative to keep your dog away from eating or just being around decaying dog feces . It is critical to clean up your yard daily from fecal matter and dispose of it properly. Keep a watchful eye on your dog if he visits public places such as dog parks or even, worse high traffic bird hunting spot parking lots! Most gun dogs realize they are “about to start working” when you unload them and they see your gun and gear. They will inherently look for a close place for them to “lighten their own load” before they begin to work!

As always please do not hesitate to ask questions or comment on this post. My direct email is northupland@yahoo.com or drop a message in the comment box below. The days are clicking by and some of you are already headlong into your bird hunting season. For those like me and my pointer Dewey, we are counting the hours here in Wisconsin until October 16th at high noon!

Best of luck out there. –Mark