What is deworming?
Deworming means killing the pathogens causing helminthic infestations (helminthiasis). There are different kinds of a deworming treatment:
Therapeutic deworming is carried out at any time of the year when clinical manifestations are present of helminthic infestation (infection with worms)
Preventive deworming is carried out to prevent infection with helminths (worms)
Diagnostic deworming is carried out to confirm the diagnosis (when it is not possible to conduct a stool analysis)
What drugs are best for deworming?
Today there are many anthelmintic drugs available on the market in forms and under many tradenames. Multicomponent combination drugs that will act against round and tapeworms are optimal.
How often should deworming be done?
For preventive purposes, deworming is carried out quarterly (every 3 months). In dogs, the risk of contracting a helminth infestation is very high, since dogs are walked outdoors and have access to the external environment in which helminth eggs and larvae are found.
Vaccination and deworming
Deworming of the animal is carried out 10-14 days before scheduled vaccination. Deworming before scheduled (annual) vaccination is necessary due to the fact that helminthic infestation reduces immune protection. If you vaccinate with reduced immune protection, the animal may not tolerate the vaccination well and, most likely, will become ill with the disease for which it got vaccinated.
How to properly administer an anthelmintic drug?
First you need to know the exact weight of the animal and choose a convenient form of anthelmintic drug. There is a huge selection of different drugs on the market, from tablets, suspensions, pastes to drops for application on the withers.
The first deworming is carried out from 3 weeks of age and two weeks before scheduled vaccination. But first you need to know the exact weight of the animal and choose a convenient form of anthelmintic drug.
Deworming tablets for dogs
Anti-worm paste and suspension for dogs
Anti-worm drops for dogs
Many dogs themselves eat suspensions and pastes, as well as flavored tablets. Most dogs can be fooled by hiding such a drug in the animal's food or favorite treat. But what is the correct way to administer a tablet, suspension or paste if the dog refuses to eat it?
How to give a dog a deworming tablet?
If you have chosen the tablet form, you need to place the tablet on the root of the tongue, close the dog’s mouth, raise the head up, and massage the throat. You will feel that the dog has swallowed the tablet.
How to give a dog anti-worm paste or suspension?
If you have chosen a paste or suspension, the feeding method remains roughly the same, although many dogs are happy to eat it themselves. It all depends on the volume of the suspension. If the volume is small, then you can quickly pour the suspension onto the root of the tongue, keeping the dog's head up. If the volume of the suspension is large, have the dog drink a solution so that it does not choke. The paste is applied in the same way, on the root of the tongue, head raised, massaging the dog’s throat until it swallows.
If none of the listed methods of administering the drug works, do not give up. Try anti-worm drops for application on the withers, which are designed for simpler and more comfortable deworming of the animal and, in addition, protect the dog from external parasites (fleas, ticks etc.).
Deworming of puppies
The first deworming in an animal's life is recommended starting from 3 weeks of age. Primary deworming at a later age (8-9 weeks) is only acceptable if the pet is not walked outdoors (decorative breeds). Infection of puppies with worms can occur in utero, as well as during childbirth and milk feeding, therefore, at such an early age, treatment for worms should be carried out and repeated 10-14 days before the first vaccination (at 2 months).
Anti-worm paste and suspensions for puppies
Suspensions and pastes are best suited for deworming puppies, as these are flavored.
Stay healthy!
Yuri Lizvinsky, veterinarian, Head of Training, Apicenna LLC
