Your dog can pick up worms without you even realising it, as they often show few (if any) noticeable signs of infection. Left untreated, they can pose a health risk to your dog and family.

How do dogs get worms?

Dogs can pick up worms from eating contaminated soil or faeces that contain worm eggs, from infected rodents or fleas that carry worm larvae or even contact with other worm-ridden dogs. Left unchecked, these parasites will rob your dog of essential vitamins, minerals and the energy needed to grow and stay healthy.

Worms are a health problem that affects all dogs, of all ages, which is why an effective dog worming programme is so essential. Spotting the signs of worms can be tricky, so how can you tell if your dog has worms?

The main signs of worms in dog include:

- There may be visible worms in your dog’s poo, around their anus or in their vomit

- Your dog many constantly try to scratch or rub their rear end

- Dog worms can cause diarrhoea, which may contain blood

- Coughing, lethargy, anaemia and a dull coat can also be signs of worms

- Your dog may have a swollen, pot-bellied stomach; alternatively, they may be constantly hungry, yet losing weight

- Your dog may ‘butt scoot’ across the floor, as some intestinal parasites will cause itching of the bottom

Treating and preventing dog worms with Drontal

Dog worms vary in their ability to damage their host, with effects ranging from mild lethargy and weight loss to serious organ damage. All dogs will carry worms to some extent, that’s why it is important to adopt a regular and effective dog worming schedule to protect your dog from worms.

Why use Drontal?

Drontal Tasty Bone and Drontal Tasty Bone XL Wormer Tablets work fast to fight all types of intestinal worms commonly found in UK dogs. They combine the three active ingredients praziquantel, pyrantel embonate and febantel, which target and kill the worms, which are then passed out of your dog in their faeces; giving you peace of mind that you are helping keep these unwanted visitors away from your dog and family.

- Kills all types all types of intestinal worms commonly found in UK dogs

- Tasty bone, meat flavoured tablets which are a treat to give with or without food

- Vet strength formula, fast and effective worming treatment for dogs

How can you reduce the risk of your dog contracting worms?

Cleaning up your dog’s faeces is a great way to reduce the risk. A single dog roundworm (Toxocara canis) can produce up to 85,000 eggs a day, and these are all excreted when your dog goes to the toilet. Clearing up your dog’s mess will help reduce the potential of leaving eggs in the environment and infecting other dogs and people.

If you have any particular concerns about your dog and worms (or any other condition) then it’s always advisable to talk to your vet.

Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). Drontal® Dog Tasty Bone/XL Tablets contain febantel, praziquantel and pyrantel. NFA-VPS. Further information is available from the datasheet (www.noahcompendium.co.uk) or Vetoquinol UK ([email protected]).

Written by: Dr Ellen Marcinkiewicz BVSc. MRCVS (Guest Author)