Puppy Deworming Guide: Everything You Need to Know.

Bringing a new rottweiler puppy into your home is an exciting experience, but it also comes with important responsibilities, such as ensuring their health and well-being. One of the most critical aspects of puppy care is deworming. Worms and parasites can cause significant health issues for puppies, so understanding the deworming process is essential. In this comprehensive puppy deworming guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. READ MORE..

Why Is Deworming Important for Puppies?

Puppies are particularly vulnerable to intestinal parasites because they may acquire worms from their mother or the environment. Worms such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms can lead to malnutrition, stunted growth, diarrhea, vomiting, and more severe health problems. Deworming is a preventative measure that helps protect your puppy from these harmful parasites, ensuring they have the best start to life.

When Should You Start Deworming Your Puppy?

Puppies typically need their first deworming treatment when they are 2 to 3 weeks old. Most breeders and shelters will have already started the deworming process, but if you’ve adopted your puppy from elsewhere, it’s crucial to confirm the deworming schedule. Your puppy will need regular deworming treatments every 2 to 3 weeks until they are 12 weeks old, and then they will typically receive a final deworming treatment at 6 months of age.

Common Types of Worms in Puppies

Puppies can be affected by several types of intestinal worms. The most common ones include:

• Roundworms: These are the most frequent parasites found in puppies, often transmitted from the mother during pregnancy or nursing. Symptoms include a pot-bellied appearance, lethargy, and vomiting.
• Hookworms: Hookworms latch onto the intestinal walls, causing blood loss and anemia. Puppies with hookworms may exhibit pale gums, weakness, and diarrhea.
• Tapeworms: Tapeworms are transmitted by fleas and can cause your puppy to have an itchy rear end, weight loss, and visible segments of the worm in their stool.
• Whipworms: Less common, but still concerning, whipworms can cause digestive issues like diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting.

Signs That Your Puppy Might Need Deworming

It’s essential to recognize the signs of worm infestations in puppies. Common symptoms include:

• Vomiting (sometimes with worms visible in the vomit)
• Diarrhea or soft stool
• Bloated abdomen or pot-bellied appearance
• Lethargy or lack of energy
• Scooting on their bottom (indicating anal irritation)
• Poor coat condition or hair loss
• Visible worms in feces or around the anus

If your puppy shows any of these symptoms, contact your vet for advice and possible treatment.

How Does Puppy Deworming Work?

Deworming treatments come in different forms, including oral tablets, liquids, and topical treatments. Your vet will recommend the best option based on your puppy’s age, size, and the type of worms they’re treating. Most dewormers work by paralyzing or killing the worms, which are then expelled from your puppy’s system through their stool.

There are several brands and formulations available, but it’s crucial to only use deworming medications prescribed by your veterinarian to ensure they’re safe and effective for your puppy.

What Happens After Deworming?

After deworming, your puppy might pass worms in their stool. This is a normal part of the process, as the dead parasites are expelled from their body. You might also notice that your puppy’s appetite improves and they start to gain weight.

It’s essential to follow up with your vet for any additional deworming treatments and ensure your puppy is on track with their vaccination schedule.

Deworming Schedule for Puppies

Here’s a typical deworming schedule for puppies:

• 2 to 3 weeks old: First deworming
• 4 to 6 weeks old: Second deworming
• 6 to 8 weeks old: Third deworming
• 8 to 12 weeks old: Fourth deworming
• 12 weeks old and beyond: Final deworming at 6 months, followed by regular deworming as advised by your vet.

Your veterinarian may adjust the deworming schedule based on the specific risks in your area or if your puppy has already had a prior infestation.

Can Deworming Be Preventative?

Yes, regular deworming is crucial for preventative care. Even if your puppy isn’t showing signs of worms, they may still have parasites, as many worms can live in the intestines without causing obvious symptoms. Routine deworming helps keep your puppy protected from a range of intestinal parasites and ensures their health and development are on track.

Side Effects After Deworming

After deworming your dog, especially in puppies, you may notice side effects like diarrhea (sometimes with blood), vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. 

Because worms  are attached to a puppy’s intestines, and when we ki*l them with deworming medicine, they can cause irritation and damage to the intestinal lining and release their toxins. This is why proper dosing is extremely important.

Most deworming tablets are dosed based on weight—usually one pill per 10 kg (22 lbs) of body weight. For example, if your puppy weighs 46 kg (101 lbs), you should not give just 4.5 pills. Instead, you should round up and give 5 pills, because a slightly higher dose will not harm your dog, but an insufficient dose can be dangerous. If the dosage is too low, the medicine may not fully ki*l the parasites, only disturb them, which can make them more aggressive and cause serious intestinal damage.

Now, you might ask yourself, okay, If I regularly deworm my female dog and she can only pass worms to her puppies through the placenta or milk, why do I need to deworm my puppies so many times, especially if they don’t seem to have parasites?

Well, a few years ago, my vet told me something that really stood out: If a puppy has had worms even once in her life, some of the larvae can stay dormant in her muscles, waiting for the right moment to activate. This happens when the female puppy grows up and becomes pregnant. These dormant worms ‘wake up’ because they feed on specific proteins that are only available during pregnancy. That’s why some puppies can be born with worms, even if their mother was regularly dewormed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often should I deworm my puppy?

Puppies should be dewormed every two weeks from their first meal (around 17-21 days old) until they are three months old. After that, deworming is done once a month until they are six months old, and then every three to six months for adult dogs, depending on their lifestyle.

2. Why is deworming so important for puppies?

Worms steal essential nutrients from a puppy’s body, which can lead to poor growth, a weak immune system, and digestive issues. Regular deworming ensures your puppy develops properly and stays healthy.

3. How much deworming medication should I give my dog?

The dosage depends on your dog’s weight and the type of dewormer used. Always check the instructions on the deworming product or consult your veterinarian for the correct dosage. Giving too little might not work and can couse problems, and giving too much can be harmful.

4. How do dogs get worms?

Puppies can get worms from their mother’s milk, through contaminated soil, dog feces, or even by sniffing infected areas. Worm eggs and larvae are everywhere, which is why regular deworming is crucial.

5. What are the signs that my puppy has worms?

Some common signs include:

-A bloated belly (especially in puppies)

-Weight loss despite eating well

-Diarrhea or vomiting

-Worms in stool or vomit 

-Dull coat and low energy

6. Can worms affect my puppy’s vaccinations?

Yes! A weakened immune system caused by worms can reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, especially for diseases like parvovirus. That’s why it’s recommended to deworm before vaccinations to ensure the best protection.

7. What happens if I don’t deworm my puppy?

If left untreated, worms can cause severe malnutrition, weakness, anemia, digestive problems, and in extreme cases, even death. Puppies are more vulnerable, so skipping deworming is risky.

8. Can I see worms in my puppy’s poop?

Sometimes, yes! You may see long, spaghetti-like worms (roundworms) or small, rice-like segments (tapeworms). However, some worms are microscopic, so you won’t always notice them.

9. What should I do if my puppy has worms?

Start deworming immediately with a vet-recommended dewormer. Follow the correct schedule and repeat treatments to ensure all worms (and their eggs) are eliminated.

10. Can my dog get reinfected after deworming?

Yes! Dogs can get reinfected from soil, feces, dog parks, daycare, or even from your shoes. That’s why regular deworming is important.

11. Can humans get worms from dogs?

Some worms (like roundworms and hookworms) can be transmitted to humans, especially children. Practicing good hygiene, washing hands, and regularly deworming your dog reduces this risk. Humans, specially kids also get dewordem with human deworming pills.

12. Can I deworm my dog at home, or do I need a vet?

Yes, you can deworm your dog at home using non-prescription dewormers that are available in pet stores or pharmacies. However, if your dog has a severe infestation, is showing serious symptoms, or you’re unsure which product to use, it’s best to consult a veterinarian for guidance, also it depends on your country regulations.