So, how can you help prevent the spread of intestinal worm infections?

Knowledge is power!

• Start by learning as much as you can about intestinal worm infections, so you know what you’re up against (which is precisely what you’re doing now).
• Be aware of changes in your dog’s behavior and learn to recognize signs of intestinal parasites, such as:
  • worms or small white objects that look like grains of rice in your dog’s stool, fur or quarters;
  • rear end scooting or dragging;
  • round belly, low energy, diarrhea and/or vomiting;
  • or… no sign whatsoever (which is common in adult dogs)!
• Learn to recognize and avoid potentially contaminated areas. (And teach your children to do the same.)

Good hygiene is crucial.

• Pick up and dispose of feces immediately, before worm eggs and larvae have a chance to contaminate the environment.
• Cover sandboxes when not in use.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and running water after picking up feces, or after handling your dog – especially before eating or preparing food.
• Discourage your dog from licking people, especially on the face.
• Don’t let your dog eat feces, raw meat or animal carcasses.
• Keep your dog on a leash as much as possible.

Help reduce the worm burden in our environment.

The presence of worm eggs and larvae in the environment is one of the main reasons intestinal worm infections are so widespread.

Some types of intestinal worm eggs and larvae can survive for months – years even! – in the environment under extreme conditions.

The best way to reduce what is known as the worm burden is to control intestinal worms in our own dogs, so they don’t shed worm eggs and larvae in their feces and contribute to the spread of infection.

How?

• Take your dog to the veterinarian on a regular basis and set up a parasite control program adapted to your region and to your lifestyle.
• Deworm a new dog that joins your family immediately upon arrival, and again two weeks later.
• DO NOT rely exclusively on monthly heartworm prevention products to protect your dog from intestinal worms.
  • Heartworm prevention products may not cover all major intestinal worms in dogs.
  • Because of the life cycle of some worms, administering a product for one day only once a month may not effectively eliminate all parasites.
• Supplement your dog’s heartworm prevention program with regular deworming (at least twice a year), using a broad-spectrum deworming product that is safe and effective against the major intestinal worms that infect dogs, like Safe-Guard® Canine Dewormer Granules (fenbendazole).

If we all do our part to control canine intestinal worms, we can win the battle against those nasty parasites!