Fecal Exams & Deworming Schedule

By: Race Foster, DVMDrs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

In addition to regularly worming your adult dog we recommend that your pet have annual fecal examinations performed by your veterinarian.

Adult internal gastrointestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are usually not shed in stools, making identification of a worm problem difficult. The eggs, however, are present, but are too small to be detected with the naked eye.

'Fecal flotations' are laboratory tests in which the feces is mixed with a special solution in a cylinder. The solution causes the eggs to float upward and collect on a microscope slide placed on top of the cylinder.

Deworming

Strategic deworming is a practice recommended by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Puppies* Initiate treatment at 2 weeks; repeat at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. For a puppy at increased risk, also treat at 10 and 12 weeks, and then monthly until the puppy is 6 months old. Thereafter, use a heartworm preventive medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms. Nursing Dams Treat concurrently with pups. Adult Dogs Treat regularly for prevention. Also monitor and eliminate parasites in pet's environment. Newly Acquired Animals Worm immediately, after 2 weeks, and then follow above recommendations.

* Drs. Foster and Smith suggest that owners of newly acquired puppies should obtain the deworming history of their new pet and contact their veterinarian to determine if additional deworming is needed.

© 2004 Drs. Foster and Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from
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(http://www.PetEducation.com)
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