Treat all pets in the household at the same time.
Dogs
Treat puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age. Puppies can be born with round worms. After 12 weeks of age, treat monthly until 6 months of age, and thereafter treat every 3 months for life.
Cats
Treat kittens at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age. After 12 weeks of age, treat monthly until 6 months of age, then every 3 months for life.
Pregnant Animals:
Worm the bitch and queen prior to mating, and shortly after giving birth.
Preparations available:
- Puppy: Canex Puppy Suspension (Chocolate Flavour), Troy Puppy & Kitten Syrup, Popantel, Drontal or Canex.
- Dog: Popantel, Drontal or Canex.
- Kitten: Felix Kitten Paste, Troy Puppy & Kitten Syrup or Drontal tablets or Profender spot on
- Cat: Felix Cat Paste, Drontal or Popantel tablets or Profender spot on
Types of Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Cats
- Roundworms
These are the most commonly occurring worms in pups and kittens. They are 5 - 15cm long and live in the intestines. In large numbers, they can cause diarrhoea and even bowel obstructions. Heavily infested dogs and cats are thin, weak, pot bellied, with a dull coat and eyes. Human infestation, although rare, is possible, especially in children - so ensure to worm regularly as recommended above and clean up after your dog or cat.
- Hookworms:
Signs of hookworm infestation are; anaemia due to chronic blood loss, diarrhoea (with blood in it) or digestive disturbances.
- Tapeworms:
This flat worm attaches to the wall of the intestine, and segments of its body are shed and passed in the faeces. They are 0.75 - 1.25 cm long, white and usually moving (they look like grains of rice)! They can cause itching around the anus. They can't be passed from animal to animal, but require an intermediate host, generally a flea. So, dogs and cats with fleas may also have tapeworm. They can also be picked up when your pet eats mice or rats.
Dog Hydatid Tapeworms are tiny, and if the eggs are ingested by humans, the results can be deadly.
Treat your dog or cat for tapeworm at the end of summer as the common tapeworm comes from the dog flea. It is also recommended to treat your pet for fleas.
