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Canine Whipworms: what the Dog owner should be aware of.
By: Tippy


To prevent your dog from becoming reinfected with the
whipworm parasite you should pick up any feces in the yard
daily. Examine the fecal material and deworm your dog when
there is any evidence of worms in the stool.

Controlling whipworm infection usually includes using the
medication Milbemycin Oxime that is found in Interceptor and
Sentinel. Both of these medications are guaranteed to kill
the adult whipworms that are the most damaging to your dog.
These are given in monthly dosages. Your veterinarian will
approve the most appropriate treatment to kill the whipworm
parasite if your dog is infected.

Monthly doses of Sentinel and Interceptor will kill the
adult mature parasitic worms. That way the worms can be
controlled and your dog will not suffer near as much as if
you allowed the infection to continue.

All dewormers are only effective against the adult stage of
the parasites. Any larvae that are already present in the
dog will not be affected and will grow and travel to the gut
and attach themselves and mature and start laying eggs. It
is possible to see the eggs when you examine the stool of
your dog.

For a more natural treatment and preventative you can use
food grade Diatomaceous Earth that is effective against all
stages of worms. Dead diatoms that make up Diatomaceous
Earth are tiny sea creatures with very hard shells that will
kill the worms, larvae and eggs of parasites by slicing them
up with their shells.

You must use only food grade Diatomaceous Earth, available
from most health food stores. Give your dog one tablespoon
daily in its food for three months to kill the parasites
that may be infesting your dog's digestive tract. Food grade
diatomaceous earth does not harm the dog in any manner and
is actually beneficial, giving your dog more calcium.

But if the infestation is heavy, consult your veterinarian
before trying to treat your dog yourself.



Avoiding Canine Whipworm

Remember to take your dog for regular checkups at your
veterinarian to get vaccinations and to deworm your pet yearly.

Here are some important points:

- Dogs that become infested with whipworm are commonly over
the age of twelve weeks and Whipworms can become a
persistent problem in adult dogs.

- Whipworm eggs can remain dormant in soil for up to five
years and are almost impossible to eliminate.

- Dogs usually become infected by coming into contact with
the contaminated feces of other dogs, so avoiding dirty area
when walking your dog is a good preventative measure.

- Put your dog on a regular treatment program for an
extended period of time if your dog has been infested with
whipworm.

- Dogs that are confined in small pens have a much higher
risk of becoming infested with whipworms.

- In order to better control your dog's exposure to
parasites remember to practice proper hygiene and remove
feces daily from where your dog may come into contact with
it.

- Avoid dirt dog runs.

- Avoid Dog Parks or common ground where dogs socialize.

- Do not let your dog sniff or eat feces on the ground.

- An infested mother dog will not infect the pups unless
they come into contact with her infested droppings.


See also:

The Best way to Keep your Dog Healthy

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