Why is worming your pet important?      

Pet worming is important for your pet and your family’s health. Roundworm and some types of tapeworm can be passed on to people and may cause disease and even blindness. Here are the most common questions we are asked about pet worming.

What are the most common worms that my cat can get?   

There are eight different types of worms which can infect your cat. Roundworms and tapeworms are the most common. Both of these types can live in your cat’s bowels, and in small numbers, they are not very harmful. However, in large numbers, they can cause illness and may become life-threatening (particularly in very young, elderly or frail cats).

What are the most common worms that my dog can get?  

The most common types of worms in dogs are:

• Roundworms
• Lungworms
• Hookworms
• Whipworms
• Tapeworms

How do cats contract worms?  

Cats may be infected by:

• Ingestion (eating) eggs from their environment - for example roundworm eggs are found in the soil and are very sticky. These eggs can stick to your pets paws and fur and are ingested when your cat grooms themselves
• Ingestion of an "intermediate host" such as a bird or mouse that is carrying worms; or potentially from eating other forms of raw diet
• Ingestion of fleas - these can carry tapeworms and get consumed when pets groom themselves and swallow fleas
• Transmission from mother to kitten during pregnancy and lactation

How do dogs contract worms?

Dogs pick up worms:

• Ingestion (eating) eggs from their environment - for example roundworm eggs are found in the soil and are very sticky. These eggs can stick to your pets paws and fur and are ingested when your dog grooms themselves or picks up sticks or toys that have been outside
• Ingestion of an "intermediate host" such as a mouse, bird, rabbit, slug or snail that is carrying worms; or potentially from eating other forms of raw meat / raw diets
• Ingestion of fleas - these can carry tapeworms and get consumed when pets groom themselves and swallow fleas
• Transmission from mother to puppy during pregnancy and lactation

What are the signs that show my pet has worms?

• Weight loss
• Diarrhoea
• Itchy bottom
• Vomiting
• Worms present in faeces or vomit or on their bottom
• Swollen abdomen
• Coughing or breathing problems
• Unexpected bleeding which may be internal causing seizures

How do I stop my cat from getting worms?    

Your vet will help you to work out which parasites your pet is at risk of, advise on management to reduce the risk, and prescribe any preventative medication that is considered necessary for your cat. This risk assessment is important to make sure worm treatments are used safely and responsibly. At the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital our vets recommend the use of tablet medications rather than spot-ons, where possible (though spot-on versions are available for cats that will not take tablets). This is because spot-on products are more likely to kill harmless insects in the environment (especially in cats that walk through long grass and vegetation or go out in the rain), whereas tablets will not "wash off" and will only kill the worms inside your cat. Tablets also tend to be more effective than spot-ons.

Keeping cats indoors and feeding a cooked / tinned / kibble diet rather than raw food will also reduce the risk of worms and require less frequent worming treatment than an outdoor cat that hunts regularly. Regular flea treatment should prevent the worms that are transmitted by fleas. Some combination flea and worm products are available and may be suitable for your cat. 

How do I stop my dog from getting worms?    

Your vet will help you to work out which parasites your pet is at risk of, advise on management to reduce the risk, and precribe any preventative medication that is considered necessary for your dog. This risk assessment is important to make sure worm treatments are used safely and responsibly. At the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital our vets recommend the use of tablet medications rather than spot-ons, where possible (though spot on versions are available for dogs that will not take tablets). THis is because spot-on products are more likely to kill harmless insects in the environment (especially in dogs that swim or go out in the rain, or run through the undergrowth), whereas tablets will not "wash off" and will only kill the worms inside your dog. Tablets also tend to be more effective than spot-ons.

Keeping dogs on a lead to prevent scavenging and feeding a cooked / tinned / kibble diet rather than raw food will also reduce the risk of worms and require less frequent worming treatment than a dog that runs off lead, scavenges and eats raw food. Avoid leaving toys and sticks for your dog to chew outside, as these often attract little snails which your pet can then inadvertently ingest. Regular flea treatment should prevent the worms that are transmitted by fleas. Some combination flea and worm products are available and my be suitable for your dog.

How do I request worming treatment for my pet?  

To safely prescribe worming treatments for your pet we need to assess your pet's lifestyle/risk and make sure that your pet is healthy. This will allow us to prescribe the most appropriate product for your pet. Typically, we carry out this assessment at every routine health check / booster vaccination appointment and create an authorisation for worming treatment on your pet's file that remains active for the next 12 months. If your pet hasn't had a vaccination or annual health check with us in the last 12 months we'll need to see them for an in-person consultation before we can prescribe these medications. This is a Veterinary Medicines Directorate requirement that all veterinary practices must abide by and helps us ensure that your pet receives the most appropriate and safest care.