Intestinal Worms


Intestinal worms are relatively common in many animal species including dogs, cats, rabbits, large animals, fish, reptiles and birds. Regular deworming is essential to ensure your pets remain healthy and to reduce the risk of some of these worms being transmitted to people.

Puppies and kittens are often the most susceptible to worm infestation. Intestinal worms are spread via dog faeces, so can be picked up anywhere from the backyard to the dog park. Puppies and kittens sometimes arrive at their new owner’s home with worms already present. In very young dogs, or if present in high numbers, intestinal worms can cause gastrointestinal disease, malnutrition and anaemia. Sometime there may be no obvious signs that your dog has intestinal worms.


Important intestinal worms that can affect Australian dogs are:

Roundworm

Tapeworm

Whipworm

Hookworm

Frequent deworming will kill worms that are present but it is very easy for your pet to become reinfested and so it’s important to continue deworming your pet all year round. Some intestinal worm species can produce large numbers of eggs, for example roundworm can lay 200,000 eggs per day within five weeks of infestation. It’s important to maintain a regular deworming program for your pets to reduce eggs being shed into the environment. 


Can you get worms from your dog?


The short answer is yes, many worms infesting dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. Different worms cause different diseases and each have their own symptoms. Whilst anyone can become infected by intestinal worms, children and the immunocompromised are at greater risk. One of the most important ways to reduce human exposure is regular deworming of pets.


How to reduce the risk of human exposure to worms:


Routine deworming for all pets in your household

Prompt disposal of pet faeces on a daily basis.

Ensure good hygiene, encourage children to wash their hands regularly (especially after playing in dirt or sandpits, playing with pets or prior to eating)

Prevent children from ingesting soil or pet faeces

Protect playgrounds, garden areas and cover sandpits

Always dispose of dog faeces in public parks and playgrounds

Prevent your pet from scavenging or hunting.


Please call us to discuss a deworming program for your pet.


December 8, 2024
With Winter on its way we want to help our oldies be a little more comfortable through the colder months.  4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 years old have arthritis Many pets are mistakenly described as ‘just old’ when really, they are in pain.
December 6, 2024
Lets Talk Teeth !!!
October 30, 2024
We all know that chocolate is not good for our pets, but sometimes want to know just how much is too much. This calculator from Petcare.com is a handy guide along with information about types of chocolate, symptoms of toxicity and treatment.
October 30, 2024
It is essential to protect your puppy against the major infectious diseases. Puppies require a course of three injections at: 6 weeks – distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus; 8 weeks – distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus; 10 weeks – distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and canine cough, then a vaccination annually/triennially for life.
October 30, 2024
Desexing or neutering your pet is a surgical procedure that prevents them from being able to reproduce. In male pets it is commonly referred to as “castration”, and in female pets as “speying”. This is the most frequent surgery performed by our vets, and generally your pet is home by the evening of surgery.
October 29, 2024
It is essential to protect your kitten against the major infectious diseases: panleucopenia, chlamydia, herpesvirus and calicivirus. Kittens require a course of two injections, one at 8 weeks and then one again at 12 weeks.
October 29, 2024
Our veterinarians’ high level of expertise and our practice’s fully equipped surgical suite allows us to perform the vast majority of soft tissue surgical procedures that your pet may require. Soft tissue surgery encompasses any surgery that is not related to bones.
October 28, 2024
Dentistry is a rapidly growing area of veterinary science. More and more we are understanding the significant effect dental health can have on the overall health of the animals we treat.
October 27, 2024
The most common ticks infesting dogs in Australia are the paralysis tick, the brown dog tick, and the bush tick. Ticks are becoming more prevalent in the local area due to the movement of wild animals and development occurring in the area. We have a wide range of preventative options in clinic to prevent paralysis ticks such as monthly Simparica or Bravecto which can be given every 3 months as an oral chew or every 6 months as a spot on.
October 27, 2024
Ophthalmology is the specific area of pet care involving treatment of an animal’s eyes. For certain breeds, this service also involves the examination and certification of breeding dogs to verify their eyes are in good condition.
Show More