| Fecal Exams & Deworming Schedule Race Foster, DVM Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. |
In addition to regularly worming your adult dog we recommend that your pet have annual fecal examinations
performed by your veterinarian.
Adult internal gastrointestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are usually not shed in
stools, making identification of a worm problem difficult. The eggs, however, are present, but are too small to
be detected with the naked eye.
'Fecal flotations' are laboratory tests in which the feces is mixed with a special solution in a cylinder. The
solution causes the eggs to float upward and collect on a microscope slide placed on top of the cylinder. This test
will not only find eggs of the parasites listed above, it will also indicate the presence of other parasites,
including giardia and coccidia, so that proper treatment can be given.
Deworming
Strategic deworming is a practice recommended by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists
(AAVP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Puppies*
Initiate treatment at 2 weeks; repeat at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. For a puppy at increased risk, also treat at
10 and 12 weeks, and then monthly until the puppy is 6 months old. Thereafter, use a heartworm preventive
medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms.
Nursing Dams
Treat concurrently with pups.
Adult Dogs
Treat regularly for prevention. Also monitor and eliminate parasites in pet's environment.
Newly Acquired Animals
Worm immediately, after 2 weeks, and then follow above recommendations.
* Drs. Foster and Smith suggest that owners of newly acquired puppies should obtain the deworming history of
their new pet and contact their veterinarian to determine if additional deworming is needed.
performed by your veterinarian.
Adult internal gastrointestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are usually not shed in
stools, making identification of a worm problem difficult. The eggs, however, are present, but are too small to
be detected with the naked eye.
'Fecal flotations' are laboratory tests in which the feces is mixed with a special solution in a cylinder. The
solution causes the eggs to float upward and collect on a microscope slide placed on top of the cylinder. This test
will not only find eggs of the parasites listed above, it will also indicate the presence of other parasites,
including giardia and coccidia, so that proper treatment can be given.
Deworming
Strategic deworming is a practice recommended by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists
(AAVP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Puppies*
Initiate treatment at 2 weeks; repeat at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. For a puppy at increased risk, also treat at
10 and 12 weeks, and then monthly until the puppy is 6 months old. Thereafter, use a heartworm preventive
medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms.
Nursing Dams
Treat concurrently with pups.
Adult Dogs
Treat regularly for prevention. Also monitor and eliminate parasites in pet's environment.
Newly Acquired Animals
Worm immediately, after 2 weeks, and then follow above recommendations.
* Drs. Foster and Smith suggest that owners of newly acquired puppies should obtain the deworming history of
their new pet and contact their veterinarian to determine if additional deworming is needed.
| This site was created by and is maintained by Belinda Winters for BFH Bassets. If you have any questions or comments email belindawinters@bfhbassets.com |