How much deworming my dog

Deworming in dogs is a very important procedure that must be followed regularly in order to keep the health of our animal and ours in good condition. However, its frequency will vary depending on the age of the dog, its lifestyle, the space in which it lives and other exceptional conditions that may require elimination of the parasites. For example, if the same is in the field in contact with livestock or other animals, or if the dog walks and plays in parks with other dogs, it is recommended to eliminate the parasites every month or every 2 months. For fully domestic dogs or with less risk, it is recommended every 3 or 4 months. Anyway, this is something entirely indicative.

For this reason, it is common to ask: how often do you deworm my dog to keep it healthy? In we give you the answer, according to the age and situation of your hairy, and we also tell you more about deworming in dogs. Take note and take better care of your faithful friend.

Deworming in internal and external dogs: pills and pipettes

Deworming in dogs is necessary to keep them in a good state of health, as well as to protect us, as many of these parasites also affect us. To begin with, it is vital to know the different types of parasites, as well as the types of preventive medications and treatments that are available.

Types of parasites in dogs

Parasites in dogs can be divided between ectoparasites and endoparasites or, what is the same, between external parasites and internal parasites . Within this classification in both parts there are a variety of parasites, whether insects or worms. The main ones that affect the dogs are:

  • External parasites in dogs: fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, lice and mites.
  • Internal parasites in dogs: vermes or worms commonly called worms. For example, some nematodes such as round worms or ascaris, hookworms or hookworms, whipworms or whipworms, heart worms or filarias, lung worms or Angiostrongylus and other cestodes or flat worms such as tapeworms or solitary, and so on. Endoparasites are also called intestinal parasites, because this is the part of the body that most parasitize, but we must bear in mind that there are also internal parasites that, as we have mentioned, attack other organs, such as the lungs or heart .

Antiparasitic collars and pipettes for dogs

They are the perfect tool to prevent and treat the appearance of ectoparasites. Normally, a collar or a pipette prevents and treats the infestations of several of these insects, but there are several types of these products. For example, in MiPipeta you will find a variety of pipettes, both for dogs and cats, both basic and more complete, of different brands such as Frontline and Advantix, etc., so you can choose according to your pet's needs.

It is very important to apply these products correctly and with the most recommended frequency so that they are really effective, because if they are misused they will not be able to act well, neither as a protective barrier nor as a treatment.

Aside, for the external treatments, also the powders and the flea or anti-parasitic shampoos are used.

Pills to deworish dogs

Pills for deworming in dogs are the most appropriate method to prevent and treat endoparasites. However, if they are already present in the can and depending on the type of parasite and the amount there is, a more potent treatment than a single antiparasitic pill may be necessary.

Although it may seem complicated to give it to him because it can be difficult for a dog to swallow a pill, today there are chewable and flavored formats that they love, so it is not that complicated. Similarly, as with the pipette, in order to be effective, it must be ensured that the antiparasitic pills for dogs are taken with the appropriate frequency and in the most suitable manner, according to the exact product.

There are also antiparasitic pastes and syrups, but they are especially suitable for puppies.

How much deworming a dog

This is one of the main doubts among those who start caring for dogs and have little experience with them and, therefore, we think a question that needs to be clarified as easily as possible.

The truth is that knowing how much deworming a dog is something that may seem embarrassing at first, but we recommend following the guideline of the dog deworming calendar of the veterinarian you normally go to, that is, your trusted veterinarian. The reason is that the frequency of internal and external deworming in dogs is variable according to a series of factors, such as:

  • Dog's age
  • General health status of can.
  • Whether it is a pregnant bitch or not.
  • Where the dog lives: field or city, inside or outside the home, etc.
  • If there are more animals living with the dog or not.

Thus, it is not the same to deworm a puppy as to an adult dog, because neither the product is the same nor does the frequency always coincide. The specialist can indicate a different pattern to each individual, although it is true that there are some general guidelines, which we will discuss later.

When to deworm a puppy for the first time

This is one of the most important moments in the puppy deworming calendar, because for your health to be optimal and to avoid risks you have to take into account a series of guidelines. The puppies are in full development of the immune system and growth, so that the type of medication, doses and frequency may vary compared to adult dogs.

Deworming a puppy is a fundamental step that we should never overlook, and that is that the animal must be free of parasites before the first vaccine. Therefore, the first time that we must deworm the puppy is between 21 and 30 days of life, a process that is usually administered by administering a paste or syrup because the dog still feeds on breast milk. It is done orally and not with the application of pipettes.

Learn more about this topic to take better care of your little furry with this other article that we talk about when to start worming a puppy.

How much to deworm a puppy and how

After the first deworming you must follow these guidelines, although they are indicated in a generic way by veterinarians. Remember that you will have to follow the ones indicated by yours.

How much to deworm a puppy internally

To deworm a puppy internally from the first time, keep in mind:

  • Deworm the puppy about a month and a half after birth, but less than 45 days old, which is just when the first vaccine is given.
  • Deworm the puppy always before each vaccination.
  • After 6 months of life, the answer to how much deworming the dog, even being a puppy still, changes because it depends on the environment in which the animal lives. If the dog has a lot of contact with other animals or with nature in general, it is advisable to apply the antiparasitic once a month or once every 2 months. For those who spend more time at home or live in cities, generally, having less risk, it is advisable to apply it every 3 or 4 months.

How much to deworm a puppy externally

It is essential to clarify with the veterinarian what the puppy's deworming schedule will be from before the first vaccination. However, as we have indicated before, the first deworming is done internally, so to deworm a puppy externally you have to wait until you have completed these first phases.

Specifically, a puppy is externally dewormed with a pipette or collar for the first time after 2 months and a half of life (10 weeks) and should weigh more than 1 kg.

From here, the frequency will be set by the specialist, taking into account the risk factors mentioned above, because in the summer and in the countryside a dog is more likely to be infected than in winter or even more, in winter in the city. In the case of higher risk, the most indicated is a monthly frequency, while in the other extreme a few months may pass.

How to deworm a puppy

To prevent and / or treat parasites in puppies, it is best to use specific medications for it and prescribed by the veterinarian, because although they are over-the-counter, it is convenient for the control to be carried by a specialist.

According to whether it is an internal or external deworming and the age of the puppy, antiparasitic products can be used in different formats such as:

  • Antiparasitic syrups
  • Antiparasitic pastes
  • Pills
  • Pipettes
  • Antiparasitic collars

In addition, in cases of serious parasites or infestations, there are injected drugs that are very powerful, but that should always be prescribed and applied by a veterinarian.

On the one hand, to give the pills, pastes or syrups can be tried directly, but not always accepted easily and, therefore, they can be mixed into food. Anyway, currently there are chewable antiparasitic pads for puppies.

On the other hand, to use a pipette in a puppy you have to bear in mind that it is not advisable to be freshly bathed because the product expands better with some natural fat on the skin and that you should not bathe it afterwards, because at least you have to let go at least 48 hours. To put it, you have to remove the hair a bit in the area of ​​the cross and pour the contents in line from the head to the tail, in that area of ​​the spine.

It is similar if we talk about bathing a dog with the flea or antiparasitic collar, since the shampoo can interfere with the product and it is better to remove the necklace for the bath. Remember that the necklace you can leave it from the age mentioned above as the time of the first external deworming, but it should be suitable for your hairy and you will have to clean it and change it when necessary.

How much to deworm an adult dog and how

If you wonder how much worming your adult dog the answer is very simple, because once past the puppy stage and overcome the initial guidelines just follow the deworming calendar of adult dogs you talk to your trusted veterinarian taking into account the characteristics of your hairy and your lifestyle.

How much deworming a dog externally

About deworming dogs externally, we clarify that if the animal is outdoors and in regular contact with other animals of the same and other species, it is recommended to deworm it once a month or every 2 months, since it is considered that the animal has a higher risk of contracting them.

In the case of dogs that are almost always at home and have less contact with other animals and nature in general (mountains, fields, beaches, parks, etc.), you can deworm it every 3 or 4 months .

How much to deworm a dog internally

To deworm dogs internally, it will also be the specialist who usually treats the animal who indicates the best calendar schedule. However, the most common is that it is between once a month and once every three months, at most.

In addition to these recommendations, there are times when it is very important to deworm the dog, for example:

  • If you plan that your dogs have offspring because you have legal permits, it is important to deworm them when the heat begins, because during the riding they will have more chances of catching it, especially if you take them outside to cross them (mountain, beach, parks, etc.). This is important because there are parasites that can pass to the placenta and infest the puppies.
  • Before the arrival of a baby at home it is recommended to deworm the dog and then continue with the calendar as it is established. In this regard it is good to talk with your veterinarian about the possibility of removing parasites more often to ensure the health of the child.
  • Whenever your dog enters and leaves a dog house, it is advisable to deworm it.

How to deworm an adult dog

To deworm an adult dog, the most common methods are pipettes, collars, shampoos, powders, pills or chewable and, in cases where there is already a serious infestation, sometimes you can resort to injections. Pasta and syrup are more common for puppies.

The ways to give the medication or apply it in adult dogs are the same as in puppies. However, for more details, here we tell you how to apply the pipette for dogs.

What happens if a dog is not dewormed

There are those who wonder why it is important to deworming a dog although, really, there can be many more doubts after knowing all the above and know all the possible diseases that can spread the various parasites, apart from how serious it can be infestation of these. Some of the effects produced and that can be recognized as parasite symptoms in dogs, both internal and external, are:

  • Constant scratching.
  • Nibbling hair and skin.
  • Rub against surfaces.
  • Fall of the coat.
  • Wounds.
  • Weightloss.
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Apathy and decay.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Pain in the belly
  • Abdominal inflammation
  • Secondary infections (bacteria, fungi and viruses).
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Heart failure.

Diseases transmitted by dog ​​parasites

As we indicated, apart from the direct damages, the parasites can be the cause of the contagion of a disease. Some of the diseases in dogs infected by parasites such as fleas, ticks or mosquitoes are:

  • Lyme's desease
  • Canine ehrlichiosis or tick disease
  • Leishmania or leishmaniasis
  • Canine babesiosis

In case the health of the dog and other animals with which they live are not enough reasons, the parasites that affect the dogs, and other animals, can also affect us and many of the diseases mentioned can also be transmitted to us. So, if we do not seek a good parasite prevention for our dog, as well as provide adequate hygiene at home, among other things, we risk also suffering from an infestation of fleas, worms and even suffer diseases such as disease of Lyme or leishmania.