Deworming a dog offers significant benefit for the health of your pet. This is because worms will feed on their hosts and can cause serious harm to them if left untreated. Symptoms that dogs show if they are infected by worms range from loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea and lethargy. There are several different treatments that can be used to get rid of worms in dogs and deworming is done usinga worm ascaricide, a natural remedy or by administering worm expulsion tablets or liquid medications.
Deworming is the process by which a veterinarian administers medication (a dewormer) to a dog in order to treat intestinal parasites. The questions that more frequently come to our mind are, why should we actually deworm our dogs and which parasite should we be concerned about?
Side Effects of Deworming A Dog
Deworming a dog is an important way to keep your pet healthy and happy. However, there are some side effects that you should be aware of before you begin the treatment.
The most common side effect of deworming a dog is diarrhea. This can happen immediately after treatment or up to several hours later. Most cases of diarrhea are mild and resolve on their own after 24 hours, but it’s important to keep an eye on your pet during this time period. If the diarrhea persists beyond 24 hours or becomes severe, contact your veterinarian right away.
Other common side effects include lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, skin irritation at the injection site (if you’re using a topical medication), and coughing. Again, these symptoms should resolve on their own in just a few days; if they persist longer than that or become severe during the course of treatment (or if they’re accompanied by other symptoms like labored breathing), contact your vet immediately!
DEWORMING A DOG can be a great way to keep your dog healthy, but there are some side effects that you should be aware of.
Deworming a dog has the potential to cause side effects like diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. If your dog suffers from any of these symptoms after being dewormed, take it to the vet immediately. These symptoms could be signs of something more serious and require immediate medical attention.
In addition to these side effects, there are also other things you should know about deworming a dog.
For example: It’s important not to deworm too often because it can cause parasites to build up in the body and make them harder for the dog’s immune system to fight off. If you do choose to deworm more than once per year (which is recommended), try alternating between two different types of medicine so that your pet isn’t exposed to the same kind over and over again.
Side Effects Of Deworming A Dog
Deworming puppy dog is an important task for any owner, but it’s essential for those of us that have puppies.
Contracting worms is a real danger for a young pup. Worms are parasites, which means they attach themselves to the inside of your puppy and suck the nutrients from them. This means they are being starved of essential vitamins and minerals they need to develop strong bodies.
This can lead to stunted growth, illness, and even death if left untreated. So, as a responsible owner, you will need to treat your pup for worms.
The problem is, as with any medication, there is always a chance of side effects. Although reactions to standard medications, such as deworming tablets, are rare, they can be severe if left untreated.
To help you understand if your pup has reacted to his deworming tablets, we have listed them below. This way, you can identify them quickly and make sure they are nothing to be overly concerned about.
What Are Puppy Worms?
The most common puppy parasites are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and heartworms. Vets recommend deworming puppies for the first time at around two to three weeks old. Many types can be passed from the mother to the pup via the milk they take from her.
Although different types of worms are harmful in different ways, the general description of a worm is that it is a parasite that will make your pup ill.
Medication supplied by your vet will cause the parasites to die, hopefully without adverse effects on your pup.
Top 4 Side Effects of Deworming a Puppy:
Here is a list of the most serious and more common effects that worming tablets can have on your pup.
1. Diarrhea
The most common type of worms in pups is intestinal worms. They latch on to the intestine, where they will take nutrients from food as it passes through. Once the medication is given and the worms die, they will fill up the intestine causing the body to flush them through with excess liquid.
So, naturally, one of the most common side effects after deworming puppy dogs is diarrhea. His body will pass lots of feces to rid itself of the dead worms.
So be prepared to see them coming out in his poop or even on their own in large bundles of what looks like spaghetti if the infestation is large. Sorry for the food comparison, but it’s all part of the puppy course (or in this case, hopefully not!)
2. Vomiting
Due to some of the drugs used in worming tablets, your pup can suffer from nausea immediately after being given the pill due to it reacting with his stomach acids. He may wretch to get rid of the tablet.
When not administered in tablet form, he may still experience nausea sometime after being given the meds. This is because the medication will cause the worms to release toxins as they die. And it is this that causes the body to react and expel them through the action of vomiting.
Be sure to monitor your puppy when he is sick. Not only to keep him safe but also to see if the tablet has come back up. If it has, you’ll need to discuss with your vet regarding another round of deworming treatment.
Ensure he has access to clean, fresh water to replace any lost fluids he expels through vomiting.
3. Excessive Salivation
Whether your pup is a slobber-monster or not, deworming tablets can cause him to drool excessively. This links into the same reasoning as vomiting. When your pup’s tummy is upset, he will drool as his stomach flips. Much like a human does when the saliva glands react to the feeling of nausea.
If your puppy already slobbers, you might notice that it becomes excessive after you have given him the deworming medication. This means he is losing fluids, leading to dehydration if not counteracted with extra intake of water.
Again, just make sure he always has access to water to drink when he needs to. The drooling will often subside after a couple of hours at most.
4. Lack of Appetite
If your puppy loses his appetite after being given the medication, it will be because of an upset stomach. Even if he isn’t being sick or doesn’t have diarrhea, he can still have a sore or upset stomach.
It naturally follows that if all of the parasites in the stomach or intestine die, the lining of the stomach wall and the intestines themselves will become inflamed.
Feeling sick will cause a lack of appetite. Don’t worry, though, lack of appetite is usually short-lived in most pups. Lasting, on average, a maximum of 24 hours.
Extreme Side Effects of Deworming a Dog:
If any of these side effects last for more than 24 hours, you will need to see your veterinarian for advice.
Rare, extreme side effects to look for are acute lethargy, seizures, or coma. These are severe signs that your puppy has had a significant reaction to the medication and needs immediate medical attention.
If any of these or other unusual effects develop, take your puppy to the nearest vet or emergency pet hospital as quickly as possible. It is rare, but unfortunately, it does happen. And it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Deworming Puppy Dogs: Conclusion
Although side effects are a real concern with deworming medication, they are usually short-lived, and extreme reactions are rare.
Veterinarians advise, despite the potential side effects, that deworming medications are still the best prevention and solution for treating worms in puppies and adult dogs alike. They are regulated and scientifically tested to ensure their safety.
As a dog owner, you can rest assured that these preventative and reactive deworming products are beneficial for your pup’s health, not detrimental.
If in doubt, seek help from a qualified professional.