Why Should I worm my Pets?

Worms are very common in pets. They cause problems in cats and dogs, sometimes making them very ill. Worms can also be picked up by people and lead to serious illness (this can include blindness in children). To protect your pet’s and your family’s health, use only good quality products and use them regularly. Do not wait until you see signs of worms in your pet, as they will cause considerable damage before they are seen. For more information please ask practice staff.

Worming puppies and kittens

Roundworms are very common in puppies and kittens, sometimes causing illness such as diarrhoea, vomiting, poor growth and gut obstruction. Some worms can also be transmitted to people, and may lead to serious illnesses including blindness. Your pet could have been infected with roundworm larvae before birth, and pups and kittens can get worms when suckling their mother’s milk.

Puppies and kittens can be wormed as young as 2 weeks old with a suitable product.

From the age of six weeks, we can use combined wormers and flea prevention. They should be applied monthly, and can be used throughout your pets life to give the best protection against a wide range of parasites. If your puppy or kitten has already been wormed by the breeder, please bring any necessary information with you when you come in.

Worming a bitch with certain products in the last weeks of pregnancy ( usually from day 40) can reduce the transfer of larvae to the unborn foetus.  Please ask advice on this, as not all wormers are safe to use during pregnancy.

Adults dogs and cats

Adult animals can be affected with roundworms and tapeworms.  Both can cause illness in the animal and again some can be transmitted to people.  You may see no signs to suggest a problem, even if the animal has worms of one kind or another.  Unfortunately, we do see an unusual kind of worm in South West Wales, which is rare in other parts of the UK. Lungworm infestation can cause severe illness, including bleeding disorders, coughing and seizures. Tapeworms can be picked up from hunting (cats) or from sheep and cattle (farm dogs). Fleas also transmit tapeworm, so don’t assume your pet is safe if he/she does not have contact with other dogs or cats.

Prevention is better than cure. It is wise to treat your pet regularly with products that are suitable for your pet’s lifestyle – for example if your dog swims a lot, then spot on treatments may not be ideal for you. We have tailored worm programmes for all situations, including if you take your pets to Europe on holiday, where the parasite risks differ from the UK.