Worrisome Worms!
Worms are quite common. More pups than not will have worms in their lifetime, especially in the beginning. Common doesn’t mean that it’s normal or that you shouldn’t treat them. Left untreated, a worm infection can cause malnutrition, intestinal damage, organ failure and may even lead to death! So, it’s very important that you watch for those for the signs of worms. Don’t be scared of them, just be diligent in treatment. Most often, 2 doses of deworming will do the trick. The first will kill any active worms. The second will handle any leftover eggs or recently hatched worms. Sometimes, your pup may require more treatment and your vet will let you know. If you opt for over-the-counter or DIY homemade medicines and remedies, please be sure to, at the least, take a stool sample to your vet for testing. Once that test is negative for infection, you are in the clear and no further treatment needed.
The following is a list of possible symptoms that you need to be aware of…
Diarrhea
Weight Loss
Muscle wasting, especially in puppies
Blood in the stool (fresh red blood or black digested blood)
Weakness
Vomiting
Change in Appetite
Lethargy
Inflammation (swelling) of the rectum/anus
Worms found around the rectum
Scooting their bottoms on the ground
Slower growth rates in puppies
Pot-bellied appearance or swollen abdomen
Coughing
Pneumonia
Anemia
Exercise intolerance
Intestinal blockage
When it comes to new puppies, the biggest indicator (in my personal experience) is the constant hunger, loose stools and no weight gain or even weight loss. Please remember that Newfies are an XL breed. That means they are going to grow through back to back growth spurts. They grow BIG and they grow FAST! We need to make sure that we aren’t holding food back, for sure. During a growth spurt, it is extremely normal for your pup to be more hungry and act like theyre never satisfied. In that case, obviously a vet is not needed and you can just tend to your growing pups needs. However, if they have that beast-like hunger happening and it's accompanied by any of the other symptoms, that is cause for concern. Make sure you consult with your vet or start whatever at-home-treatment if multiple symptoms are happening. I am not opposed to at-home-treatment at all, but if this is what you choose to do, I just ask that you do intense research from multiple sources. Youtube is your friend for learning how to handle these kinds of things. Be diligent! Worms are contagious and humans are susceptible so for everyones sake, know what youre doing and follow up with a stool check.
Lastly, I cannot stress enough how crucial the cleaning process is, for the effective attack on worms. For hygiene purposes if nothing else but if you have any other animals that live with you or visit the same areas where your pup is poopin’ they can get the worms, too. It is imperative to immediately clean up any poop as soon as it’s left, and then clean the area. You can use a small pan of hot water and dawn dish soap to kill any bacteria. Be diligent here as well.
I hope I haven’t scared you by this post. My intention is to arm you with knowledge. You don’t have to panic if your pup has worms. They are easily taken care of when you are diligent in your efforts. Trust your gut! You know your baby better than anyone else. Just do what you feel is right. Much love to all of you and your furbabies.
