How to deworm a puppy

Maintaining your puppy's health is a topic that consists of various aspects: hygiene, feeding, exercises, vaccinations. Among these, deworming a puppy is essential if we want to not only prolong its life expectancy, but also keep it in an optimal state of health. As is already known by most people with dogs as pets, parasites usually cause serious illnesses in dogs , even more so in the first weeks of life, as this is when they are most susceptible to suffering from this condition. Due to the aforementioned, it is essential to regularly comply with a schedule to deworm a puppy, this will produce greater strength in your little friend's immune system, keeping him healthy and full of energy to enjoy more time together. But how do you know that the puppy has parasites? And how to deworm a puppy? If you still have this concern, in this article we will detail the information you need to facilitate the deworming process in a simple and effective way .

When is it necessary to deworm a puppy?

In general, deworming a puppy is one of the first things you should do just weeks after its birth. Because it is during this time when our little friend is most vulnerable and needs to counteract the parasites that are forming since he is inside his mother's womb. A timely visit to the veterinarian when it does not exceed two weeks after birth is essential to start deworming a puppy , because, since it is the first days of life, it is prone to be more affected by the presence of larvae. or eggs that have already been formed since conception. Therefore, the veterinarian will provide a treatment according to the puppy's age to eliminate the parasites .

How do I know if my puppy has parasites?

The presence of parasites in the puppy produces different symptoms that help us identify that our dog needs to be cared for, among them we can mention:

Lack of appetite

When there is the presence of parasites, both internal and external, the puppy may manifest it through frequent inappetence or loss of appetite.

Diarrhea or vomiting

Both diarrhea and vomiting are common features to indicate that a puppy needs to be dewormed. This can also contribute to the dog's dehydration.

Malnutrition

Because the parasites feed on the food that the dog consumes, weight loss is visible in the puppy, also associated with the loss of appetite caused by the same condition.

Discouragement

Both malnutrition and the presence of parasites can cause a puppy to lack spirit and energy.

distended abdomen

A tense abdomen can be another cause that alerts us that it is necessary to deworm a puppy.

Dull coat

When it comes to external parasites, such as fleas or ticks, it is common for puppies to have a dull coat, with a rough and dull texture.

excessive itching

In the case of internal parasites, it can be observed that the puppy drags its anus along the ground or dirt as an act of scratching, this in most cases is indicative of parasites. In the case of the presence of external parasites, if you see that the dog scratches desperately and frequently, it may be the presence of fleas or ticks.

How to deworm a puppy?

Once you know the symptoms and when you should deworm a puppy, we will talk about the most important thing: how to do it. Depending on the type of deworming, there are some details to consider:

External deworming

Deworming a puppy externally is necessary after he or she turns around 8 weeks old. However, if before that time the puppy becomes infested with fleas or ticks, you should go to a veterinarian who will recommend the products to use. In general, the product begins its effect after three weeks, depending on its application. Therefore, it is necessary to combat these parasites promptly before they multiply.

Internal deworming

As mentioned, deworming a puppy internally is a process that must be carried out after two weeks of birth. Depending on the age and intensity of the parasites, the veterinarian will indicate a treatment, the composition of which does not affect the puppy's digestive system. In the first weeks because it is still newborn, the puppy will receive oral treatment in syrup form. While after approximately six or twelve weeks, you will begin to give him pills, every three or four months, for complete deworming, according to the veterinarian's recommendation.

Some recommendations

It is important to remember the need to go to a veterinarian before proceeding to deworm a puppy the first time , because their young age and vulnerability can cause unwanted poisoning and affect the life of our little friend. Furthermore, compliance with a deworming schedule, combined with veterinary consultations, will prevent the dog from being affected by parasites. Preventive behavior is the best way to prolong the life expectancy of our puppy. Another equally important aspect, in the case of external deworming, is to maintain control over the hygiene and grooming of the puppy, as well as checking it manually to verify that there are no fleas or ticks. Regardless of whether the dog presents symptoms or not, all puppies, after two or three weeks of life, must be dewormed, even when they are in perfect health, because this is part of their care and will be part of your well-being. Finally, it is necessary to remember that parasites are not only transmitted between animals, but can also affect humans, so deworming the puppy will be beneficial for all members of the family to which it belongs. More tips like these: