Introduction:
The early morning sun peeked through the clouds on a cloudy Tuesday in Ohio as a spirited young woman named Emma walked her two-year-old Golden Retriever mix named Cooper down the street. Cooper trotted along happily, pausing to watching fire hydrants and basking in the autumn leaves swirling around his paws.
But Emma’s elation was short-lived as Cooper stopped to do poop himself on a grassy patch near the local park.
Digging out a green poop bag from her tote, Emma gasped as she spotted wriggling white specks in the fresh pile of dog poop that look like animated grains of white rice.
A wave of shock washed over Emma as she worried about what kind of nasty parasite was I looked inside her dog. Would her children become infected if they walked barefoot in this yard? Is this a fatal disease that will kill Cooper within weeks?
If you’ve ever seen a worm in dog poop or white rice-like specks in your dog’s stool, then you know precisely how Emma shock in this moment. Spotting a worm in dog poop is shocking and unpleasant surprise for any dog owner. But the good news is millions of pet parents across America, Europe, and beyond encounter this exact situation annually, and in almost all cases, it is easily cure with the right dewormer medication and appropriate dosage.
What Kind of Worm Did You See in the Poop?
When Emma presented the small plastic container with a fresh stool sample at the vet’s office, the first thing we did was help her identify the type of parasitic worm she spotted in Cooper’s poop.
Types of Worms in Dogs and What They Look Like
The Spaghetti Worm (Roundworms)
If you see white or light brown spaghetti-like threads in the dog poop, then your dog has roundworms. They can grow up to 5 inches in length and live in the intestines, attaching themselves to the intestinal wall and sucking your dog’s nutrients with every meal. Noticeable swelling like on the abdomen or occasional vomiting of these spaghetti worms is a clear sign of a roundworm infection.
The Moving Rice Grain (Tapeworms)
The story above shocking introduction the worm in dog poop that Emma discovered in Cooper. These are the tapeworms, they resemble pieces of white rice. A dog infected with tapeworms will have worm segments filled with eggs in the stool. Freshly passed tapeworm pieces look similar to rice grains.
The Invisible Blood Feeders (Hookworms and Whipworms)
Hookworms and whipworms are dangerous parasites that measure only a few inches long. Hookworms attach to the intestinal wall and feed on the dog’s blood, while whipworms infect the lower intestine. These are both serious intestinal parasites, but they are challenging to observe in the dog poop because of their small size.
The most common signs of hookworm or whipworm infection are blood in the feces, weight loss, and weakness.
What Medication to Choose? How Much Does My Dog Need?
As Emma sat in the waiting room, she inquired, “Dr. Bloch, how do we get rid of them? What medication do I give him, and how much does he need?” Getting rid of intestinal worms in dogs requires a prescription medication that contains specific active ingredients that interfere with the worms’ ability to survive in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
Below are the 3 most common dewormer medications used in veterinary practice with simple dosage instructions
1. Fenbendazole (Brand Name: Panacur)
Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum dewormer that is commonly used in veterinary medicine. It is a safe and effective medication against multiple types of parasites, including roundworms, whipworms, and Giardia. The drug inhibits the enzymes that help the parasites absorb nutrients, starving them over time and eliminating them from the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
Medication Type: Tablets or liquid suspension
Dosage for Dogs:
Tablets: Dogs should receive 50 mg per kg (or 22.7 mg per pound) of body weight once a day for 3 days.
Liquid Suspension: Dogs should receive 22.7 mg per pound of body weight once a day for 3 days.
Dose Calculation Examples
For a 10-pound dog: A single daily 225 milligram dose is sufficient for 3 days of treatment.
For a 20-pound dog: A single daily 450 milligram dose is sufficient for 3 days of treatment.
For a 50-pound dog: A single daily 1,125 milligram dose is sufficient for 3 days of treatment.
2. Pyrantel Pamoate (Brand Name: Nemex)
Pyrantel pamoate is a broad-spectrum dewormer that is especially safe for puppies. The drug paralyzes the parasites, causing them to lose their grip on the intestinal walls and be expelled with the feces. It is particularly effective against roundworms and hookworms.
Medication Type: Liquid suspension or chewable tablets
Dosage for Dogs:
Tablets: Dogs should receive 5 mg per kg (or 2.27 mg per pound) of body weight as a single dose.
Liquid Suspension: Dogs should receive 2.27 mg per pound of body weight as a single dose.
Dose Calculation Examples
For a 5-pound puppy: A single 11 mg dose of nemex is sufficient.
For a 15-pound dog: A single 34 mg dose of nemex is sufficient.
Important Note: Since pyrantel only affects the adult worms and not the unhatched eggs, a puppy or a dog that has been infected with worms should be dosed again after 2 weeks to eliminate the next generation of parasites.
3. Praziquantel (Brand Name: Droncit or Tapeworm Dewormer)
The reason we recommended the medication that Emma gave to Cooper was because she had tapeworms. Praziquantel destroys tapeworms by disrupting their outer layer, penetrating into their tissues, and causing the worms to be expelled with the feces. It is one of the most effective treatments for tapeworm infections in dogs.
Medication Type: Tablets or combination chewable blocks
Dosage for Dogs:
Tablets: Dogs should receive 5 mg per kg (or 2.27 mg per pound) of body weight as a single dose.
Dose Calculation Examples
For a 10-pound dog: A single 23 mg tablet is sufficient to deworm a 10-pound dog.
For a 30-pound dog: A single 68 mg tablet is sufficient to deworm a 30-pound dog.
For a 60-pound dog: Two 68 mg tablets combined for a total of 136 mg are sufficient to deworm a 60-pound dog.
What Happened to Cooper?
Since Cooper weighed about 60 pounds and had tapeworms, we prescribed him a combination of fenbendazole and praziquantel to deworm him. Emma mixed the medication with a spoonful of canned pumpkin and gave it to Cooper, who eagerly ate it without any suspicion.
Here is what happened next
Day 1: The First 24 Hours After Deworming Medication
On day 1, as the dewormer medication started to take effect, Emma mentioned that Cooper was resting more than usual on his dog bed. This was entirely normal because it is a common side effect of most dewormer medications as the dog’s body works to expel the parasites.
Day 2: Worms Spotted in the Stool
The next day, as Emma walked Cooper around the park, she was pleasantly surprised to see that his stool had no visible white specks or rice-like pieces of worm. She immediately called and told us that the infection was gone. However, we advised her against celebrating since it was still too early in the treatment process.
Day 7: The Dog is Cured
On day 7, Cooper was officially cleared of all signs of infection. A follow-up fecal examination revealed no evidence of parasites in Cooper’s stool. Additionally, he was eating more than usual, and his fur had regained its healthy golden-brown color.
Preventing Reinfections at Home
Medications to remove worms in dog poop are generally safe and effective, but the most crucial step in caring for a dog with parasites is preventing reinfections. Here are some helpful tips
Removing dog feces from the yard or the ground on a daily basis will prevent your dog from eating the infected matter or other dogs doing the same
Using a year-round flea preventative will kill the fleas that carry the tapeworm eggs in their bodies via their feces
Keeping your dog away from sources of contaminated water
Wiping the dog’s paws with a clean, damp towel after a walk to prevent the dog from licking the soil and ingesting the parasite eggs
Expert Insights from Dr. RK Bloch
“In my experience, the most concerning aspect of finding a worm in dog poop is that pet parents tend to rush out and buy any dewormer medication from the pet store without consulting with a veterinarian.
They may not realize that the appropriate dosage depends on the dog’s weight and that different medications have varying degrees of effectiveness against the different types of parasites.
I always recommend weighing the dog before administering any medication. It is critical to follow the recommended ratio of milligrams per pound or kilogram. Another important consideration is making sure to keep the yard and the dog’s belongings clean to prevent reinfections.
Combining these simple yet essential practices will keep your dog happy, healthy, and free from worms.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can humans catch worms from dog poop?
Some types of worms in dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans. Always wash your hands with warm water and soap after handling dog feces in the garden or when cleaning up after your dog.
How quickly does deworming medicine work?
Depending on the type of medication, dewormer tablets start working 2-6 hours after ingestion and begin to expel the worms from the dog’s intestines. The treatment generally removes all of the worms in the first 24-48 hours.
Should I starve my dog before and after administration of dewormer medication?
Modern dewormer medications do not require withholding food before or after treatment. In fact, most tablets are recommended to be administered with food to avoid an upset stomach.
How often should I check my dog’s poop for worms?
It is advisable to look at your dog’s stool after every walk on a regular basis to examine it for signs of worms. Additionally, you can request a fecal examination from your veterinarian to check for any signs of infection.