Dog Owners: Watch Out for Whipworms

If your dog has not yet become ill and infested with whipworms, watch out. Andrea the barber loves her big dog. Recently, she and her husband took their dog on vacation with them to their trailer in Wisconsin for an extended weekend. After a few days their big dog started vomiting in the trailer and having diarrhea attacks. The bouts were very frequent.

Andrea and her husband couldn't stand to see their dog so sick and wanted it well. So they brought him to the emergency room at an animal hospital for treatment and observation. Their dog was admitted for several days stay at the hospital. It was expensive -- about $1,800. And what was wrong with the dog? It contracted whipworms. And what's worse, their vet had not recommended a simple remedy of the right kind of heartworm medicine.

When your pet gets a case of whipworms, be prepared to act quickly, pay big bucks or lose your pet. Whipworms are creatures that threaten dog health and cat health. Worm in dogs and worms in cats often lead to either chronic health problems or immediate health conditions. The only real preventative measure against this parasitic worm and its dangerous effect on your best friend's life is the annual check up.

What dogs and cats are at risk the most?
When dogs and cats spend a great deal of time outside in enclosed areas, they are the most at risk for attracting these nasty little worms. In particular, dogs are unbelievable at getting infested the first time and then re-infesting themselves. If your dog has been treated for any type of parasitic worm, but still roams freely in the area that he uses for his toileting, chances are excellent that he will develop another case of whipworms.

Cats and dogs and cats that spend a least part of their time outdoors are tested for whipworms during their annual check-up. Testing for whipworms is usually part of this process. Blood tests can determine whipworms, as well as other types of worms during the once a year check under the hood routine. Stool tests can also detect any number of parasitic worms that may have died in the intestinal tract or were excreted prior to being able to latch onto the intestinal wall.

What are the symptoms of whipworms? When pets get any type of parasitic worm, they often experience upset stomachs, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cats, as well experience vomiting and diarrhea, which is often mistaken for hairballs. Diarrhea in cats generally does not represent a hairball problem, but a more serious cat health complication. Diarrhea in dogs can be associated with a wide variety of possibilities, and dog owners often overlook the potential for serious dog health problems.

What is the best way to treat whipworms? When you visit a veterinarian, he or she will recommend several worms treatment options that typically include the following ingredients: , milbemycin oxime, fenbendazole, and febantel. These types of treatments are quite effective in treating a whipworm infestation without producing many side effects. A veterinarian will generally suggest to space out treatments every two to three months throughout the year to decrease the risk of reinfection since whipworm eggs may remain active for five years

Preventing whipworms is something every dog or cat owner must do. Make sure to buy the right heartworm medicine in the first place so that your dog is protected from contracting whipworms.