Worm Prevention for Pets

Key Takeaways

• Worm prevention protects pets from common parasites including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and lungworm.
• Most worms live in the gastrointestinal tract, while lungworm lives in the respiratory system and is becoming more common in the UK.
• Pets can pick up worms by eating contaminated soil, faeces, or rodents, and many puppies are born with worms passed through their mother's milk.
• Symptoms of worms in pets include vomiting, weight loss, diarrhoea, a swollen abdomen, dehydration, and coughing or bleeding in cases of lungworm.
• Humans can catch roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm from pets, with children most at risk of symptoms like coughing, headaches, and stomach pain.
• If you suspect your pet has worms, a Medivet vet or nurse will examine your pet and prescribe a suitable worming treatment to give at home.
• Worming tablets are included in the Medivet Healthcare Plan, which also covers flea and tick treatments alongside other benefits.
• Good hygiene supports worm prevention, including cleaning food and water bowls, picking up after your pet, and washing your hands thoroughly.

What are Worms?

The most common worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms, although lungworm is becoming an increasing problem in the UK.

While lungworms live in the respiratory system, all other worms live in the gastrointestinal tract and can be easily treated before they cause serious problems. They can be picked up if your pet eats contaminated soil, faeces or rodents. In fact, many puppies are born with worms that are contracted from their mother’s milk.