A Dog is a Man's Best Friend

Canine roundworms are parasites that take up residence in your dog's small intestine and feed on bodily fluids and tissue. These worms, which can measure up to six inches, look like big pieces of spaghetti. They can be life-threatening to puppies and may also be transmitted to people.

Transmission

Most dogs get infected with these worms from their mother. An infected mother can pass them along to their puppies even before birth. Also, the larvae can travel to the mammary glands. This allows them to infect young puppies via the mother's milk. Dogs also become infected if they ingest eggs that have larvae.

Symptoms

Roundworms can be fatal to puppies in large numbers. Mature dogs normally don't suffer many problems from canine roundworms unless they get to be too numerous. In these cases, your dog may experience lethargy, weight loss, and a pot belly. Some dogs also experience diarrhea and vomiting.

The worms can also travel to the lungs and cause respiratory problems. This includes nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, and coughing. They can even cause your dog to develop pneumonia. In drastic cases, a large infestation can cause an intestinal blockage which can lead to death. Diagnosis

Roundworms expel a medium amount of eggs. Therefore, the veterinarian will examine your dog's stool to see if he is infected. Since a large amount of eggs aren't expelled, the veterinarian may have to examine multiple stool samples. Some dogs also pass mature worms out of their body through vomit or stool.

Treatment

If your dog is infected with canine roundworms, he will need to take one of several medications. Some medications simply anesthetize the worms so they will pass out through the stool. Other medications kill the worms while they're still in your dog's small intestine. Your dog will need to take up to three rounds of these medications.