Intestinal worms are very common problems in pet cats and dogs. In fact many puppies and kittens already have intestinal worms when they were born. This can occur because worms that are harbored by the mother can be passed on to her litter via the placenta (transplacental transmission). There is also transmammary transmission in which the worms are passed on to the puppies or kittens via the mother’s milk. This is one important reason why puppies, kittens, and female dogs should be dewormed regularly. Worms can also be acquired by eating fleas (this is especially true for tapeworms), eating prey, and eating the feces of other pets or farm animals. A heavy worm infestation can have negative effects on the health and wellbeing of pets. They can cause severe anemia and compete with the nutrition of their host. There are several types of worms that infest cats and dogs- roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Talk to your vet Brant Hills, ON about a deworming program for your pet that should give protection not only during certain seasons but all throughout the year.
