- October 19, 2018
- Dogs and hunting with them
- Kira Ifeevskaya
How to worm a puppy for the first time? How often should deworming be carried out and why? What drugs should be used for these purposes? These questions interest many novice dog breeders.
Note that deworming is a therapeutic and preventive measure that is aimed at preventing the appearance of parasites. This procedure is part of the necessary care for your pet.
Age for first worm prevention. How many times a year is it held?
When to worm a puppy for the first time? It is best to do this from three weeks of age. It is worth using for these purposes products that are marked: “For kittens”, “For puppies”. Other similar drugs are designed for dogs and other older animals. Typically, these drugs are already used after the animal reaches one and a half months of age. How often to worm a puppy? The deworming procedure should be carried out once a quarter. This rule applies to both puppies and adult dogs.
How often should you deworm your dog regularly?
Many owners are interested in the question of how often it is necessary to give anthelmintic drugs to their pet.
The classic prevention scheme for adults is carried out once every 6 months .
But, as with any rule, there are certain exceptions. Experts recommend regular deworming for dogs that:
- They eat fresh meat, fish and dairy products. In this case, the risk of infection with eggs or larvae of worms increases. Animals whose owners take fresh offal from markets, slaughterhouses, or purchase them from private traders after slaughtering livestock are at risk;
- They have free access to the street. For example, there is a dog in the yard, which the owner lets out to run around the street. It is impossible to control food intake during a walk of such an individual. Often, the dog returns after a long period of absence. What and how he ate all this time, as well as what animals he came into contact with, is unknown;
This is important: Preventing helminthiasis quarterly in any of the above cases will be a reasonable solution, because the animal is in direct contact with family members and can become a source of infection.
You may also be interested in the article: Which is better: Dry dog food or natural? All pros and cons
When do you need to deworm animals, particularly puppies?
We already know the answer to the question, is it possible to worm a puppy? Of course, this can and should be done. But all activities should be carried out carefully, perhaps even in consultation with a veterinarian. You should be especially careful with animals that eat raw meat and fish.
Deworming is carried out due to the fact that such individuals have an increased risk of developing parasites, since raw meat can be infested with their cysts. How to worm puppies? As a rule, the drug is given to animals once. But, if there is a suspicion of the presence of parasites (a bloated tummy, detection of adult worms in the feces, etc.), then after two weeks you need to re-give the remedy to the puppy. The dose should be the same.
Why do this? Repeated deworming is carried out due to the fact that the drug acts only on adult parasites, but not on their eggs. Namely, it is from the latter (if they are present, of course) that worms grow in ten days. Therefore, repeated administration of the drug is necessary.
Helpful information
Also take note of this:
- If your puppy is weak or sick, be sure to show him to a veterinarian before all procedures, otherwise the consequences can be disastrous.
- If you have dewormed your pet, but after that the parasites have not died, then it is necessary to re-deworm after 10 days, and it is better to postpone the vaccination date.
- Vaccination is carried out for absolutely healthy dogs. Try not to disturb the four-legged’s usual rhythm of life 10 days before and after vaccination.
- If you are going on a trip with your furry friend, then you need to get vaccinated no earlier than 21 days before the trip.
- After vaccination, you must quarantine for about 14 days. During quarantine, try to have your dog have less contact with other dogs.
- Do not overcool, bathe or expose your pet to stress.
What are the remedies?
We have already figured out how to deworm a puppy. Now let's look at what medications there are. In such products, the main active ingredient either destroys adult parasitic worms or interferes with their vital functions.
If we talk about how effective this or that product is, then we can say that almost all of them work the same way. Note that some drugs can be aimed at destroying a certain type of parasites, and if they are detected in an animal, the veterinarian prescribes the appropriate anthelmintic.
When are puppies wormed for the first time and with what? As we found out, this is done no earlier than three weeks. When choosing a drug for preventive deworming, pay attention to products that are suitable for your pet in terms of age and weight. Also pay attention to the type of drug. The dosage should be calculated very carefully. How to do this?
For example, many anti-worm medications in tablet form are designed for ten kilograms of weight. This is very convenient if his body weight is twenty kilograms. But what to do if the pet is small, weighing 950 grams? For these purposes, it is most convenient to use suspensions for small breeds. Typically, the dosage of these drugs is as follows - 1 ml of product per 1 kilogram of weight.
You can also use drops on the withers. They are produced for animals with different body weights. They are quite simple and convenient to use. The only important thing is that the pet does not lick the drug, otherwise it may be poisoned.
When choosing a product, remember that they are available in different dosage forms. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian.
"Drontal." Description and reviews
We have already told you when to worm puppies, then we will look at different drugs. Knowing this information, you can independently choose the appropriate product.
"Drontal" is a drug that has a broad anthelmintic effect. Available in the form of tablets, which are designed for 10 and 35 kilograms.
Dog breeders consider this drug to be quite effective, but expensive. Some owners had problems with the product and their pets experienced side effects. There is an opinion that there are now many counterfeits of this drug on the market, which is why many dog breeders have switched to other products.
Which form of release is the most effective?
The form of release of anthelmintic drugs does not affect the result. Only the speed of action can differ. In specialized pet stores you will find different types of medications. It is worth purchasing them based on convenience. You can choose from the following forms:
- tablets;
- paste;
- drops;
- suspensions;
- injection solutions.
The form of release of anthelmintic drugs has no effect on the result
"Stronghold" and "Lawyer". Description and reviews
A drug such as Stronghold has a wide spectrum of action. The product inhibits the development of worm eggs and kills adult worms.
The basis of the drug is selemectin. "Stronghold" is an effective, but not particularly toxic drug. The product is applied to the withers and acts not only on worms, but also on ticks and fleas. The dosage of this drug is as follows:
- For large animals – 45 mg.
- For puppies up to one and a half months – 15 mg.
- For dogs up to five kilograms – 30 mg.
“Advocate” - drops that have an active effect on internal (roundworms, tapeworms) and external parasites. How much medication should be applied to the withers depends on the size and weight of the animal. These drops are used both for prevention on a monthly basis and once for treatment. The product effectively fights parasites. “Advocate” does not work on ixodid ticks.
People who have used these drops say that they are quite effective. As dog owners note, when used correctly, there are usually no side effects.
Drops on the withers
To apply the liquid to the withers, you need to part the fur and drip the drug onto the skin. For a puppy, you can additionally apply it to the skin between the shoulder blades; for large dogs, the product is dripped along the ridge at several points. Some drugs need to be rubbed in.
Prices start from 100 rubles. The most famous drugs:
Helminthal drops on the withers for dogs: reviews and instructions for use
- "Helmintal";
- "Advocate";
- "In-Up complex".
"Helminthal". Description of the drug and reviews
The drug is available in the form of a suspension. It has a wide spectrum of action against round and tape helminths in all phases of development.
The drug is used from three weeks of age for prophylactic as well as therapeutic purposes. The product is used for nematodes and cestodes, as well as mixed infestations. The dosage of the drug is 1 ml per 4 kg. Gelmintal should be given once with food.
Many dog owners speak positively about the product. They say no side effects have been identified.
Suspensions
The dog can spit out suspension medications, so they are used during feeding and mixed with food or milk. Large dogs can be poured into the mouth with a spoon; this option is not suitable for a puppy, as the suspension will be spat out.
The liquid medicine is administered with a syringe after removing the needle. To do this, you need to hug your ward from the side, move his lip, squeeze the liquid onto his cheek.
The liquid medicine is administered with a syringe after removing the needle.
Popular suspensions:
- "Dirofen" (1 ml - 3 kg of weight);
- "Helmintal" (1 ml - 10 kg of weight);
- "Kaniquintel-gel" (0.5 ml - 1 kg of weight).
The price for suspensions starts from 120 rubles.
"Prasicide." Description and reviews
The suspension is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes against cestodiasis and nematodiasis for puppies from two weeks of age.
The drug should be given once during morning feeding with food or on the root of the tongue. The drug must be administered using a syringe without playing. The dosage of the product is 1 ml per 1 kg of puppy’s body weight. Before use, shake the bottle for 30 seconds. A starvation diet and the use of laxatives are not required.
Many people who have used the drug say that it is effective. In addition, it is quite easy to give to the animal. Unfortunately, some puppies experienced side effects - depression, drooling, etc.
Signs of infection
Depending on the age of the animal and its size, signs of parasite infestation may vary. In adult and strong dogs, infection with worms, as a rule, does not manifest itself outwardly. But you need to sound the alarm if you suddenly notice that your pet has:
- The fur has become dull.
- Diarrhea alternating with constipation is often observed.
- Loss of appetite, or vice versa, excessive gluttony, accompanied by loss of body weight.
- Vomit.
- Hiccups, cough.
These are the very first signs of worm infection. Sometimes (well, these are already completely advanced cases) the worms simply begin to crawl out, plunging the owners into shock.
In puppies, infection with parasites leads to developmental delays. Typically they have:
- Bloated tummy.
- Weakness.
- Decreased appetite.
- Vomiting (often with live parasites).
And to prevent this from happening, regular preventive deworming of dogs is necessary.
"Milprazone." Description and reviews
This combination drug is intended for puppies and dogs weighing from 500 grams to 5 kg. Active ingredients: milbemycin oxime and praziquantel.
The drug has proven itself to be an effective remedy. Those who have used it say that Milprazone really helps fight internal parasites. In addition, no side effects are observed when used even in small puppies.
"Polyvercan". Description and reviews
This product is intended for puppies and dogs. Available in the form of sugar cubes. The drug is aimed at destroying round and flat helminths.
The cubes can be dissolved in a small amount of drinking water. 1 cube is designed for 10 kg of animal body weight. Can be used from two weeks of age.
Reviews about this product are quite varied. Has anyone experienced side effects from this drug? For others, the process went quite well, without any problems.
Safety regulations
We have already found out when to worm a puppy for the first time. But when carrying out the deworming procedure, it is worth remembering the following safety rules:
- You should not give deworming medications to exhausted, weak, recently operated or sick animals. In such cases, the animals’ bodies are already weakened. And the toxic effects of drugs can lead to bad consequences.
- When giving your dog an anthelmintic, strictly follow the dosage, frequency and regimen.
Contraindications for worming
Contacting a veterinarian is also important because in some cases worming is prohibited. Such situations include the following:
- sick, weak and exhausted animals;
- postoperative period;
- puppy age up to 2 weeks;
- the presence of external parasites - fleas, ticks, lice.
In some cases, the procedure must be carried out with caution:
- presence of chronic diseases;
- tendency to allergic reactions.
It is recommended to take into account such contraindications and report them to the veterinarian during the examination and selection of products.
Not every dog can be forced to take a pill.
Deworming the animal before vaccination. Why do veterinarians insist on this procedure?
We have already found out at what age puppies are wormed. Now let's talk about why deworming is necessary.
Remember that vaccinating an animal is the most important measure in establishing a pet’s immunity to dangerous diseases. During the vaccination process, weakened viruses are introduced into the animal's body. This is necessary in order for him to develop immunity to these very diseases. If background parasitosis intervenes at this stage, then immunity may not be formed or will be unstable and weak. As a result, the vaccine simply won’t work at the wrong time.
