What to do if you spot worms in your pet’s poop

    worms pet poop

Finding worms in your pet’s poop is concerning, not to mention disgusting! The worm most commonly seen in pets’ poop is the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm. Tapeworms shed egg packets called segments that look like grains of rice. Common worms, such as roundworms, hookworms and whipworms, typically shed only microscopic eggs that aren’t seen by the naked eye.

 

 

 

Rest assured that worms can easily be taken care of with your veterinarian’s care. The following steps will help you say “Good riddance!” to the worms and prevent future wormy encounters:

  1. Collect a stool sample. Collect a sample and take it to your veterinarian for analysis. The type of worm present in your pet’s poop will determine the appropriate treatment.
  2. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will want to analyze your pet’s poop and also examine your pet, discuss their medical history and check for other symptoms. This will allow them to provide the best course of treatment.
  3. Follow the treatment plan. Once your veterinarian has identified the type of worms affecting your pet, they’ll recommend a treatment plan. It’s important to follow the dosage and administration directions carefully to ensure that the worms don’t rebound. 
  4. Monitoring. Keep an eye on your pet's stool in the days and weeks following treatment. Immediately following treatment, you may notice dead adult worms in the stool. If you continue to see worms or notice any concerning signs, contact your veterinarian right away. 
  5. Hygiene. Prevent the spread of worms to other pets—and humans—in your household. Pick up poop right away from your yard and wash your hands afterwards, regardless of whether you’ve used dog waste bags or a poop scooper. Keep your cat’s litter box fresh by removing poop twice a day and thoroughly wash the litter box at least once a week. 
  6. Preventives. After treating the current infestation, your veterinarian may recommend preventive measures to help keep your pet worm free in the future. There are several heartworm preventives that also kill common intestinal parasites—ask your veterinarian for the best option.
  7. Regular check-ups. In addition to giving parasite prevention medication to your pet, it's also recommended that you have your pet’s stool checked regularly. 

Your veterinarian can provide you with the best recommendation for your pet. 

Browse our wide variety of easy-to-use, veterinarian-approved parasite preventives. >>