Table of Contents
Worms
Types of worming treatment
What worming treatment is safe for my pregnant dog?
What to avoid
How to prevent worms
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Can my pregnant dog use worming tablets?
- By Hannah
-
- October 29, 2024
- 3 MIN READ
Protecting your pregnant dog and her offspring from worms is crucial, as they are most susceptible during this time. Generally worming treatment isn’t recommended throughout most of your bitch’s pregnancy but they should still be protected before mating and afterwards.
Worms
Intestinal worms are wriggly little pests that can turn you and your pet’s world upside down. There are few different types of common intestinal worms, whipworms, tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms. Any of these worms (and more than one type at once) can infest your pet. To cause an infestation, intestinal worms can be ingested by your pet through contaminated food, fleas or transmitted from mother pooch to puppy pooch. Once they are in your pet’s system, worms will affect their digestive or respiratory tract, causing discomfort and infection. If left untreated, worm infestations can lead to more serious issues like malnutrition and anemia in pets. Given the implications of your dog getting worms, it’s super important to keep them and their offspring protected. However, not all worming treatment is suitable for pregnant pets, so let’s dive into what is best for your pregnant pooch.
Types of worming treatment
There are many different options for treating worms, these are the most popular:
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Worming tablets - This is oral medication your dog will swallow and once digested, will quickly attack any worms infesting your pet.
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Spot-on worming treatment - This is topical treatment that is applied to your dog’s skin and absorbed into their bloodstream.
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Worming injections - This is administered by your vet and used to treat very severe worming infestations.
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Natural worming remedies - If you are a pet parent who doesn’t want to use chemicals on your dog, natural treatments are available, such as Diatomaceous Earth.
What worming treatment is safe for my pregnant dog?
Generally it is not safe to use worming treatment during the majority of your bitch’s pregnancy, but it is still recommended prior to her mating and before she gives birth. To ensure mummy pup and baby pups are safe throughout the pregnancy, always chat to your vet before using worming treatment.
To keep your pregnant pooch and pups safe from worms, we recommend using worming treatment, like Itch Wormer tablets for Dogs, before they mate. Worming treatment should then be avoided up until day 40 of their pregnancy. From day 40, up until 2 days before the birth, a safe worming treatment can be administered to your bitch. This will protect the pups from any possible worm infestation. Your vet can offer suggestions of safe worming treatments, but a commonly used treatment for pregnant dogs is Panacur Suspension.
What to avoid
We do not recommend using worming treatments with these active ingredients, without vet consultation first:
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Ivermectin: While low doses of ivermectin are considered safe for heartworm prevention, higher doses can be dangerous, especially in pregnant dogs. Chat with your vet before using any ivermectin-based products.
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Febantel: Febantel is not recommended for use in pregnant and lactating dogs.
How to prevent worms
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Regular deworming
Before pregnancy and after birth, follow a regular deworming treatment schedule. This is easy and convenient with pet wellness subscriptions like monthly free deliveries of Itch Wormer tablets for Dogs. Puppies require a more rigorous deworming schedule due to their susceptibility and developing immune systems - Read our recommendations here.
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Flea control
It’s important to remember that fleas eggs can transmit tapeworms, so by protecting your dog from fleas, you also keep them worm-free. Try using a regular spot-on flea treatment like Itch Flea Treatment for Dogs to kill all pesky parasites!
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Hygiene
Keeping your dog hygienic is crucial to keeping worms at bay. Make sure to always clean up your dog’s waste promptly and wash your hands after handling any pets.
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Clean living environment
Keep your home and garden clean to reduce the risk of exposure to worm eggs and larvae. We’d suggest vacuuming regularly and often washing your dog’s bedding at 60 degrees.
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Visit your vet
Regular check-ups allow your vet to monitor your dog’s health and detect worm infestations early. This is important to keep up after the pregnancy, as much as during.
Preventing your pregnant pooch from getting worms doesn’t have to be complicated - it just has to be safe. We recommend always chatting to your vet if you have any concerns before buying and applying. For any other support or questions you might have, our friendly Vet Team are on hand to answer all your questions in veterinary medicine.
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Worming
Identification
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Worming
Treatment Issues
Is your pet unwell after worming tablets?
As responsible pet owners, we all want the best for our furry friends. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, and proper grooming are all part of ensuring our pets live their best lives.
One essential aspect of pet care is deworming, which helps protect our furry friends from internal parasites that can cause a range of health issues. However, have you ever noticed that your pet seems unwell after taking those worming tablets?
In this post, we'll explore the common concerns related to worming tablets and your pet's health, addressing topics like the time it takes for worming tablets to work, potential side effects, and how to help your pet feel better.