Dogs are curious animals that enjoy picking up edibles outdoors and occasionally licking the ground. That’s why veterinarians and experts recommend regular deworming treatments. Through licking the excrement of other dogs or plants, our four-legged companions can unknowingly ingest worm eggs.

Worms are internal parasites that can multiply, including in the intestines of mammals. If you have ever applied a deworming treatment to your dog, they might have reacted with diarrhea. Deworming treatments can be challenging for dogs.

What are the normal aftereffects of worm treatments, and in which case should you preemptively seek advice from the veterinarian?

What happens during deworming?

Worms, as parasites, feed on the blood of their host animals, nesting in the intestines, and, depending on the type of worm, even in internal organs. Some worm species multiply within the dog’s body, while others have the dog ingest eggs from the outside, which then develop into adult worms inside its body. When dogs have worms, it often initially manifests with very general symptoms.

Some animals may have:

Diarrhea in dogs can also be a result of worms. In a later stage, you can often recognize some of these annoying parasites in your dog’s stool, especially in the case of roundworms. They have the appearance of white threads, and some of them are excreted in the stool, moving away from it, which can be a huge shock for many dog owners.

The purpose of deworming is to expel the worms and, if necessary, eggs from the body. The live worms are then killed or paralyzed by the active ingredients in the medication. Subsequently, they are excreted through the stool, along with any potential eggs.

Recognizing worms in dogs

Not always do worm parts or live worms appear in your four-legged companion’s stool. In many cases, the worm infestation goes unnoticed until the worms have multiplied significantly within the dog’s body.

Puppies, in particular, are sensitive, and intense parasitic infestation with worms can be initially noticeable through a bloated abdomen, referred to as “worm belly.” This phenomenon indicates an already intense infestation that can endanger the lives of young dogs.

Symptoms that indicate a worm infestation include:

Bloody diarrhea in dogs can also be a result of worms. In the worst case, tangled worms can cause an intestinal obstruction in dogs, creating a mechanical barrier in the intestines, a life-threatening situation for the animal.

Puppies are particularly vulnerable to worms. They can die from exhaustion if the parasites multiply too much in their small bodies.

Some pet owners may also wonder in amazement: How much food does a dog actually need? Worms can literally “feast” on it. An unusually large appetite in four-legged housemates can indicate a tapeworm infestation, for example.

Worm infestation is not trivial. In addition to the health risks for dogs, some types, such as tapeworms, can be transmitted to humans.

Small children are particularly at risk here, as they may not yet be aware of the hygienic rules when interacting with dogs. If the dog then places its face or hands on them, worm eggs can easily enter the human body.

Veterinarians primarily consider these general risks when recommending regular deworming. Nevertheless, many dog enthusiasts are initially skeptical. They see deworming treatments as “chemical weapons” that could harm their pets. Some, therefore, try to use a home remedy for worms in the stool.

Fighting Worms Naturally?

Various natural substances and home remedies for combating worms are recommended in online forums or guidebooks. One such home remedy is lauric acid, found in coconut flakes and cold-pressed coconut oil. Some users swear by these natural substances to repel worms.

The efficacy of lauric acid in treating existing worm infestations is not scientifically proven. Some dog enthusiasts mistakenly believe that coconut products might have a preventive effect against these pesky parasites.

Experts acknowledge that preventive deworming treatments are ineffective. Lauric acid, in appropriate doses, can support the health of the intestines due to its anti-inflammatory properties, as supported by some studies.

However, nutrition experts and scientists disagree on whether coconut products are overall healthy for the animal’s intestines. The dosage is also contentious, as higher amounts of lauric acid are believed to cause diarrhea.

In the worst case, the animal may still have worms, as coconut components do not kill them, and your pet may suffer from additional diarrhea.

Are there other home remedies?

Other home remedies recommended by some dog owners for worm infestations lack scientifically proven efficacy. These include pineapple, sauerkraut, propolis, and some herbs like rose hips.

The absence of scientific evidence for the proven effectiveness of supplements against worms does not discredit the products themselves.

They can contribute to making the dog’s digestive tract more resistant to internal parasites like worms. For instance, Anifit offers supplements with herbs for this purpose.

The best method is a regularly recommended deworming program by the veterinarian. This helps protect the animal and its family from the consequences of a worm infestation.

Experts recommend deworming up to 4 times a year. The debate continues on whether such frequent use of dewormers can promote resistance. Some veterinarians, therefore, administer deworming only once or twice a year, along with vaccinations.

Resistances to anti-parasitic drugs are dangerous. If certain organisms become resistant to some chemical substances, these agents will no longer be effective. This simultaneously reduces the selection of drug components that can be used to combat parasites.

The frequency of deworming in each case depends on how a dog lives. Deworming may be necessary multiple times a year, especially if your pet has a lot of contact with other animals and roams freely in nature daily. Families with small children particularly want to ensure their dogs are worm-free.

Ingredients in medicinal worm treatments

There are many different types of worms that thrive in a dog’s body.

Hookworms and whipworms are present, as are roundworms, tapeworms, and pinworms. Each type of worm has specific characteristics.

It is, therefore, a challenge to use a dewormer that can kill as many different worms as possible. Dewormers typically contain chemical substances that ideally have a broad spectrum of activity.

Treatment against worms is regularly administered as a preventive measure. Often, it is unknown whether the animal actually has worms and, if so, what type.

Therefore, anti-worm medications like praziquantel have the broadest possible spectrum of activity. This substance causes worms to become immobile by overstimulating their nerves, leading to their excretion with the feces.

Other common ingredients in worm treatments include:

Side Effects of Worm Medications

Active ingredients developed to combat parasites like worms, known as anthelmintics, can have side effects. Diarrhea and vomiting are among the most common side effects after worm treatment.

Many pet owners worry about which side effects are considered normal and which require consultation with the veterinarian. Just like with all medications, such as calming agents for dogs, each animal reacts somewhat individually to chemical substances.

Some dogs may be more sensitive, while others may not show any signs of treatment in the period following ingestion. When side effects like diarrhea occur, dog owners often have the following questions:

Some dogs experience diarrhea after being administered an anthelmintic. Many affected dog owners assume a connection with the chemical substances in the worm medicine. This assumption is only partially correct.

Digestive problems and intense vomiting can also be signs that the animal is heavily infested with worms. In such cases, dogs may have difficulty expelling the many paralyzed or dead parasites, leading to intermittent diarrhea attacks and vomiting.

Duration of Side Effects After Worm Treatment

The substances in anthelmintics typically remain active for about 24 hours. After this period, the animal’s body has metabolized them. Within this timeframe, the animal also expels any potential worms, larvae, and eggs. Therefore, side effects like loose stool and vomiting are generally limited to this period.

If they persist and possibly extend over several days after deworming, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended. Other reasons for bouts of diarrhea may also be responsible in such cases.

Monitor puppies particularly closely after deworming. The expulsion of numerous parasitic organisms can put a significant strain on their small bodies. Diarrhea attacks also affect young dogs more severely because their bodies dehydrate more quickly.

Other Manifestations After Worm Treatment

Following worm treatment, not only can the consistency of the dog’s feces change, but you may also notice whole worms or parts of them scattered in the stool with the naked eye.

This should not cause concern. It simply indicates that your pet had worms, and they have been expelled through the worm medicine. In rare cases, bloody diarrhea in dogs may be attributed to the expulsion of parasites.

What to Watch for Regarding Anthelmintics

If the animal vomits within 1 hour after receiving a worm medicine, consider repeating the application as a precaution. This recommendation applies particularly if the animal has taken the medication orally through its snout.

Worm medicines can now also be applied as a spot-on product, administered by applying it directly to the skin over the neck. In this case, vomiting does not cause the worm medicine to be expelled. It enters the bloodstream almost immediately through the skin.

Worm treatments are indispensable

Yes, worm treatments can have side effects on your four-legged companion. On the other hand, the active internal parasites pose a threat to the health, well-being, and sometimes the life of the animal. Humans can also be affected by them. They are widespread and easily transmitted to your pet. No one wishes for a bowel obstruction in their dog.

Compared to that, the potential typical side effects of a worm treatment are acceptable. Caution is advised with certain dog breeds such as Nordic dogs or Australian Shepherds. Some of these animals react intensely to all chemical substances introduced from the outside.

These intense reactions are due to a specific genetic makeup. If you have such an animal, you should be particularly cautious in the application of worm treatments in consultation with the veterinarian. In these dogs, the reaction may not be limited to diarrhea.

Some individuals may respond with allergic shocks and other life-threatening reactions to chemical substances. Stay attentive and observe your pet after a worm treatment. In case of unusual events following the administration of the medication, your veterinarian is the first point of contact.