Puppy worms

[Jenz]

I'm looking after a very cute Scottie puppy (well, 5 months old, still a pup?) and I think he has worms.

I've been looking after him since Thursday and he has been a sweetheart. Although, this morning I woke up at 5.30 because he'd pooped on the floor in my room. I was a bit bleary eyed because not in the swing of early mornings until the horses stay in over the winter! I went back to sleep only to wake up at 6am with him throwing up. He didn't bring much up apart from a few really wiggly... worms!?

I've googled and it all sounds rather awful. To actually throw up worms seems to mean a heavy infestation??

I have no idea if he has been wormed correctly previously, but I know the owner is hard up, but that by no means it hasn't been done.

He is going back to the owner tomorrow and I've bought a Drontal Plus worming tablet. But after buying it I thought maybe he should see the vet instead (and if he has the tablet maybe the vet wouldn't be able to give more/what they would have chosen to give).

The 'worms' (I can only imagine this is what they were) sound like round worm. Very fine, finer than spaghetti, but about the same colour, about 1 inch - 1 and half long, but all curled up.

Apart from that, he seems fine. Good weight, no pot belly, eating ok, shiney coat, very playful but also sleeping well afterwards! He has sometimes had a grumbly tummy though.

Any advice? And what do I tell the owner? Is there anything to look out for? If he just needs the tablet, how do you know he's ok again?

How serious is this? Please be honest.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

I would go with a vet visit just to be on the safe side - I've never known a dog throw up worms, I would be horrified

I would also suggest that DrontalPlus is too much for a Scottie, they dont weigh that much do they? If anything I would go for ordinary Drontal tablets, depending on what the vet says.

And DEFINITELY tell the owner, he/she needs to know

It sounds gross but a pity you didnt keep a sample to show the vet

 

[Jenz]

Oh yea, I will tell the owner, I meant should I tell them to look for anything in particular? This sounds gross, but maybe look for 'passed' worms that the wormer has killed off. Or something like that?

I thought afterwards I should have put them in a bag or something, but at 6am I wasn't thinking and just wanted the wigglers off my bedroom floor, yuck!

The dosage says 1/2 a tablet for a dog his size/weight, but I might say to the owner to take him tot he vet in the morning instead.

Poor chap.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Oh I'm sorry

I see what you mean about the owner! Well the only time I have ever had a dog with worms was the lurcher pup, and when we wormed him it was like the poor lad was passing spaghetti

(sorry about too much info there!) So yep I would suggest that the owner looks out for that

1/2 tablet is fine, then you will always have the other 1/2 for the next worming in 3 months time

But would still think of the vet TBH, bearing in mind I am paranoid about doggie health

 

[Jenz]

What a subject!

I'm guessing passing spaghetti is good because it means they're dead? (sorry for anyone else reading this!)

I know searching the internet can be risky (you can look up the symptoms of coughs and colds and be convinced you'll be dead within the hour!) but can hardly ignore it either, I've never heard of a dog bringing them up that way. It was quite a sight!

I want to be ultra careful too, especially because I think the owner is struggling with him and maybe thinking of finding him a new owner....! I've never had a small dog before, but he's ace! Even with the wigglers.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Yep the spaghetti was very dead, thank god, couldnt have looked if they had still been moving

I am beginning to sense a small plan which you may have here....yes, go on, offer him a home, you know you want to

 

[Jenz]

Only if they thought I would give him a better home. If not, I'll just be holiday home.
I say that, but then he's just pooped on my floor again! If he becomes mine then expect some house training questions to follow!
Cheers for the worming advice.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

No problem, any time

House training sounds a good idea as well