Reviewed by: Dr Claude Stanislaus BVSc (Hons I) MANZCVS (Pharmacology) and Dr Abbie Lam DVM
Worms are one of the most common causes of serious illness in puppies, so one of the most important first steps in a puppy's life is deworming. Here's everything you need to know to keep your fur baby safe from these nasty and sometimes deadly parasites.
Why is deworming important?
A puppy should be dewormed as early as two weeks of age. By the time a puppy is old enough to go to a new, forever home (ideally around 8 - 12 weeks of age), it's vital to maintain a life-long deworming program to ensure your pet stays healthy and comfortable. Intestinal worms such as hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms can make your puppy sick and unable to effectively absorb much-needed energy and nutrients. This can lead to stunted growth, a dull coat and lethargy. Intestinal worms can also cause blood loss and anaemia, which can be potentially deadly in the early stages of your puppy's life. Humans can also contract these parasites, which can lead to intestinal pain, diarrhoea and more serious health problems, such as blindness and respiratory issues. In short, you don't want worms - and neither does your puppy.
Puppies can be exposed to worms in several ways: from their environment, from their mother in the womb, or through their mother's milk. Therefore, deworming treatment should begin as early as two weeks of age.
What are the signs of worms in puppies?
Not all infected puppies will show obvious signs of having worms, which is why regular treatment is especially important - regardless of whether they have any symptoms of worms.
Common signs of worms in puppies include:
- Weakness and listlessness
- Failure to thrive/grow
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Abnormally swollen abdomen (pot-belly)
- Stool that contains spaghetti-like worms, mucus or blood
Keep in mind that, with the exception of worms in stool, these symptoms can indicate other problems - so, check with your vet to be sure that your puppy does not have other underlying health issues.
How do I get rid of worms in puppies?
Although worms are a nasty business, they're fairly easy to treat. You can give your puppy a worming treatment like MilbemaxTM, which comes in the form of a small, easy to give tablets, suitable for puppies from 2 weeks of age and 0.5kg body weight. Know what to expect when deworming your dog to make the process more manageable.
Your puppy's deworming schedule
Many puppies are born with worms and acquire more from their mother's milk, which is why it's so important to stick to a treatment schedule.
Treat your puppy for worms with Milbemax when they are:
- 2 weeks old as long as they weigh at least 0.5kg
- 4 weeks (1 month) old
- 8 weeks (2 months) old
- 12 weeks (3 months) old
After your puppy is three months old, they should be treated for worms at least once every three months for life. Alternatively, you can apply AdvocateTM every month from 7 weeks of age for protection against most gastrointestinal worms, as well as protection against fleas and heartworm.
Learn more about suitable worming treatments and how to protect your puppy from worms.
Read product leaflets for full instructions.
