Deworming dogs: common mistakes to avoid

Caring for our pets is an important responsibility, and that includes ensuring their health and well-being. An essential aspect of care is ensuring the prevention and treatment of internal parasites, and for our canine friends, the dog dewormer is a must. We'll explore why it's crucial to deworm your dog as well as the different types of products available on the market.

Dogs are susceptible to getting various types of internal parasites, including roundworms, tapeworms, and protozoa. These parasites can significantly harm your dog's health, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and in severe cases, death. It is therefore essential to regularly protect our four-legged companions with an effective dewormer to ensure their health and happiness.

The choice of dog dewormer should be based on several factors, including the pet's age, health, lifestyle, and the specific parasites prevalent in your area. It is recommended to consult your veterinarian to determine the best prevention and treatment plan for your dog.

Main Types of Dewormers

Dog dewormer is essential to prevent and treat internal parasites, such as worms. There are different types of dewormers for dogs, each with their own features and threshold of effectiveness. In order to better guide the choice, we will present the main types of dewormers/antiparasitics.

Chemical dewormers

Chemical dewormers are widely used to eliminate parasites. This type of dewormer is effective and fast, but has the disadvantage of containing chemical substances. Chemical dewormers are available in different forms:

• Tablets
• Liquids
• Pasta

Among the most common chemical dewormers, we find:

1. Fenbendazole
2. Mebendazole
3. Praziquantel
4. Pyrantel
5. Oxfendazole
6. Milbemycin oxime

Natural dewormers for dogs

For those who prefer an approach natural, there are also alternatives to chemical dewormers. THE natural dewormers are usually based on plants, essential oils or even food ingredients such as garlic and squash. Here are some examples of plants used as natural dewormers:

• Mugwort
• Thyme
• Cinnamon
• Hyssop

Compared to chemical wormers, natural wormers are often less aggressive, but may also be less rapid and effective in eliminating parasites.

Broad-spectrum dog dewormers

A broad spectrum dewormer is designed to treat several types of parasites at once. This type of dewormer is often prescribed by veterinarians for dogs with high risk of infestation by various parasites. Among the best-known broad-spectrum dewormers are:

• The Drontal
• The Milbemax
• The Panacur
• The Advocate

To determine the right dewormer for your dog, the ideal is to consult a veterinarian who will be able to assess the level of risk of infestation and prescribe the most suitable treatment for your animal. It is also important to follow the veterinarian's advice regarding treatment frequency and dosages.

Finally, remember that prevention is crucial. Don't wait until your dog shows symptoms of an infestation to treat parasites. A good deworming program is essential to maintain an animal in good health.

Common Mistakes You Should Absolutely Avoid to Protect Your Best Friend

In order to properly protect your companion, it is important to avoid repeating the most common errors that are regularly observed during this operation.

Not respecting the dosage

It is crucial to follow the veterinarian's or manufacturer's instructions regarding the dose and frequency of administration of the dewormer. An incorrect dose may render treatment ineffective or cause unwanted side effects.

Dewormers are usually given every 3 to 6 months to prevent parasitic infections in healthy dogs. However, puppies, pregnant females and animals with certain health conditions may require more frequent deworming. Discuss this with your veterinarian.

Forgetting regular treatments

Dogs should be dewormed regularly, usually every 3 to 6 months, depending on their age, lifestyle and exposure to parasites. Failure to follow this schedule can leave your dog vulnerable to infestations.

Choosing the wrong dewormer

There are different types of dewormers, each effective against specific parasites. Be sure to choose a dewormer that is appropriate for the parasites present in your area and meets your dog's specific needs. Consult your veterinarian for a recommendation suitable for your pet.

Neglecting environmental hygiene

Deworming does not protect against reinfestation. It is therefore important to regularly clean your dog's environment (litter box, basket, toys) and pick up its excrement to prevent the proliferation of parasites.

Ignoring Signs of Pest Infestation

If your dog exhibits symptoms such as loose stools, weight loss, swollen belly, itching, or vomiting, consult your veterinarian promptly. Untreated parasite infestation can lead to serious health problems.

What are the steps to follow for successful deworming?

Deworming is a key step in ensuring your dog's health and protecting it against internal parasites. To ensure you perform this procedure correctly, it is essential to follow some essential steps:

1. Choose the right time : Administer the dewormer when your dog is relaxed and in a familiar environment, to prevent him from feeling stressed or uncomfortable.
2. Prepare the tablets or dewormer : Follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine the quantity and frequency of administration.
3. Proceed with administration : Put into practice the tips mentioned above to facilitate the ingestion of the dewormer.
4. Monitor for side effects and consult a veterinarian if necessary : Some dogs may experience adverse reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite after taking a dewormer. If these symptoms persist or worsen, consult your veterinarian promptly.

Some tips to facilitate the administration of dewormer to your dog

Deworming your dog can sometimes be a challenge, especially if your furry friend is reluctant to take medication. Fortunately, there are tips to make this task easier and less stressful for you and your pet:

• Combine it with a treat : To make it easy for your dog to ingest the tablet, hide it in a treat or piece of food.
• Using a dog pill bottle : There are devices specially designed to facilitate the administration of tablets to animals. They allow the medication to be hidden in a suitable treat or food.
• Deworming liquid or paste : If your dog resists taking tablets, try using a dewormer in liquid or paste form, which can be mixed into his food without him realizing it.

It is important to protect your pet's health by regularly administering a suitable dewormer. Follow these tips and don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice if you encounter any difficulties or concerns when administering a dewormer to your dog.

Conclusion

So, our understanding of dog dewormers has deepened over the course of this article. It has become clear that preventive treatment against internal parasites is essential to preserve the health and well-being of our four-legged companions. Here are some key points:

• Dewormers help fight internal parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms and protozoa.
• It is important to administer a dewormer to your dog according to its age, weight and lifestyle to ensure optimal protection.
• There are different types of dewormers, such as tablets, liquids, pastes and parasitic collars.

In addition, you must deworm your pet regularly, following the veterinarian's recommendations.

It is also crucial to consult a veterinarian before choosing a dewormer for our dogs. This ensures that we use the most suitable treatment and do everything in our power to control parasites.

To conclude, we are convinced that deworming your dog is an essential step in both preventing and treating internal parasite infestations. Choosing the appropriate dewormer, combined with advice from the veterinarian, will ensure better health for our canine companions.