Problematic parasites appear in puppy poop.
Disclaimer: I am not a forensic expert, diagnostician, veterinarian, or professional dog trainer. I am a relative rookie with dogs, learning as I go. Fostering puppies is an eye-opening experience. There have been lots of times I have thought, “Jeez, I wish I’d known THAT before.” Sometimes all I learn is whatever I can Google-search while the little varmints are napping. Those naps are just not long enough.
Second disclaimer: if you don’t like looking at worms or poop, don’t look at the photo that’s at the end of this entry.
Here is what I have learned this week about cute little puppy bellies. There is the wholesome round variety, which, in addition to being adorable, is healthy. Just like human babies, as puppies roll and romp, they develop the abdominal muscles that eventually pull their rib cages down and inward, so the ribs no longer flare out, and their torsos become streamlined.
Then there is the distended puppy belly, which is not healthy. News to me: the distended variety is likely a sign of a parasitic worm infestation. In the case of Remo, my latest male foster pup, the distended belly was his only sign. Then, I noticed all the wiggly worms scattered in his poop. OK, that’s a pretty strong sign.
I wasn’t looking for the worms, because I thought the distention was just a side effect of his newborn malnutrition. I didn’t even know, at first, which of the two siblings was pooping out worms. With two 13-week-old puppies in one room, there’s a lot going on.
Like all puppies who come through the dog rescue group I volunteer with, this duo received de-worming treatment as soon as they were taken in from their original unsafe environment. At that time, they tested negative for worms. On their 8th day in my home, I noticed small, off-white wriggly things in a poop pile I picked up from a pee pad. And these wriggly things were lively. Not at all acting as if they’d been poisoned; more like they were trying to escape the pile. “Sshit,” was my reaction. I reported the problem to the dog rescue group. The rest of the litter probably had worms, too, if these guys did.
I double-bagged the offending stool sample, in case a vet run was needed. Veterinarians are the ones who can examine a fecal sample, figure out what the offending organism is, and make a treatment plan. With one sample, a plan can be made for all six puppies, and possibly the mom, if needed.
For the next few days, I saw no worms, no problems. ‘Are they messing with me?’ crossed my mind. Then last night, and this morning — four days after the first sighting — a whole bunch of the little parasites appeared in Remo’s deposit. This group was not as lively as the first. Many of them were clearly dead. But still — ewww.
My educated guess is that these are tapeworm segments. The worm type does matter, in determining which medicine is needed to kill the worms and get them to not come back. But as far as the pups are concerned, there are no good worms. They are all parasites.
They all have to go. Otherwise, the little guy is chronically deprived of nutrients. And he can get sick. And — here is a part that is brand new to me — I can get sick, too, if I accidentally ingest any segment or egg. Eventual consequences of contaminating myself can include blindness. I learned that today! So my choices are easy, but the results are time-consuming. I must:
- Pick up every puppy poop ASAP, so they don’t eat it, or walk in it, then lick their toes;
- Examine said poop, for signs of worms;
- Wash my hands well, every time I go near the poop;
- Go get the vermicidal medicine recommended; administer to both pups as directed;
- Keep the puppies confined to their room so nothing spreads to anyone else.
I’m waiting now for a message telling me when and where to pick up medicine for these two problem tenants of mine. This mini pack of double trouble are as much a part of my education today, as I am of theirs. I hope to defeat the parasites. We’ll all feel better.
IF SQUEAMISH DO NOT EXAMINE PHOTO BELOW.
Puppies are Jerks 