No Clifton Park pet parent wants to hear that their beloved four-legged friend is plagued with parasites. But worms happen! And once you realize your dog has worms it’s important to seek veterinarian care right away. Not doing so can mean serious health complications for your pup, and can potentially mean infection for you and your family.

1. Some of the most common worms visible to the naked eye are tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms — white in color and resembling a grain of rice or a small noodle — can often be seen in a dog’s feces or on their posterior, according to a story on the subject at insidepetsworld.com and petmd.com.

2. Bloated Belly — Because worms can be deadly to dogs it’s important to get your pooch treated as soon as possible. Bloated bellies can be indicative of worms and can lead to intestinal blockages. Roundworms, for instance, reproduce so quickly that they can rapidly lead to deadly blockages in the intestines. And blindness is possible in humans infected with roundworms that are left untreated.

3. Dog Vomit — If your pooch has worms it is possible that you will see them in her/his vomit. However, many health conditions are accompanied by vomit. So be sure to check their vomit and stool and bring both to the attention of your dog’s veterinarian as soon as possible. A stool sample will be needed for testing and your vet may do more tests to determine any underlying health problems.

4.  Diarrhea — The causes of diarrhea can include overeating, spoiled food, diet change, allergies, parasites, viruses and bacterial infections. Medications, stress and illness are also causes for diarrhea. So if you suspect your pooch has worms be sure to look for other symptoms in addition to diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea is also a concern. If your dog is infected with parasites dehydration is likewise a side effect so try to make them drink more water the usual.

5. Sticky Poops and Weight Loss — These are often a symptom of whipworms, a parasite that isn’t easy to detect. But they can also be indicative of tapeworms, as can be diarrhea. Whipworm isn’t as dangerous as the other parasites yet it should be treated in order to prevent further infection to others and keep your dog healthy.

6. Fatigue and Weakness — Parasites feed on a dog’s blood and nutrients, rendering it weak and exhausted. In the case of hookworms, the danger is very real in puppies for the infection to be fatal. So if your dog becomes easily fatigued and doesn’t want to play, worms may be the cause. Consult a veterinarian immediately if you think your pet might have worms!