What are the signs if my cat or dog has worms?
It’s not easy to know if a cat or dog is infected with worms, particularly in the early stages. However, if severely infected, your dog or cat may suffer from vomiting or diarrhoea, and will probably lose weight and condition. In practice, roundworm infections are often symptom-less in the adult dog or cat, but cause severe problems in young animals. Heavy roundworm infections may cause a distended stomach and ‘pot-bellied’ appearance – particularly noticeable in puppies and kittens. As the larvae migrate through the puppy, pneumonia and coughing may be seen. Animals may fail to put on weight and severe infestations may be fatal. A cat with tapeworms may spend more time than usual cleaning its bottom, since the egg-filled worm segments cause irritation. In dogs, dragging of the bottom along the ground is a sign that is sometimes seen (though this sign may commonly be caused by other conditions e.g. anal gland problems). You may even find segments in your dog or cat’s bedding – they are
