Roundworms live in the small intestine of the dog. They are round worms that can grow up to fifteen centimeters long. Their color ranges from yellow-white to pink. Roundworms are usually not visible in the dog's stool, but can sometimes be seen in vomit.
Adult roundworms lay eggs in the dog’s small intestine. These eggs are passed in the dog’s feces and end up on the ground. After a few weeks, larvae develop inside the eggs, which can then infect other animals or people. These infectious eggs can survive for over a year.
When a dog ingests the infectious eggs, they reach the intestine. The larva hatches from the egg, penetrates the intestinal wall, and migrates to the liver. After passing through the liver, the larvae travel via the bloodstream to the lungs. From the lungs, the larvae are coughed up and swallowed. Once back in the small intestine, the larvae develop into adult worms, which then start laying eggs, repeating the cycle.
Dogs can become infected by rolling or sniffing in grass contaminated with roundworm eggs. Licking their paws can also lead to infection, as can eating an infected mouse. Adult dogs often develop immunity to roundworms. In that case, the larvae remain dormant in the body. When a female dog becomes pregnant, the larvae migrate to the uterus and mammary glands. This way, newborn puppies can also become infected with roundworms.
Because puppies have not yet developed immunity to roundworms, the impact of an infection can be significant. The infection is often recognizable by the classic “worm belly,” which means the puppy has a swollen abdomen while being thin and growing poorly. Gas, diarrhea, and vomiting are also common symptoms of a roundworm infection.
In adult dogs, a roundworm infection is difficult to recognize. The dog often shows non-specific symptoms such as loose stools and lethargy. Through fecal examination, roundworm eggs can be identified in the stool.
To prevent and control roundworm infections, it is important to have regular fecal examinations performed. In puppies, the stool should be examined for the first time at 2 weeks of age, and then every 2 weeks until they are separated from their mother. The mother dog’s stool should be examined at the same time as the puppies, since she can become infected through their droppings. Once the puppies have left the mother, their stool should be examined monthly until they reach 6 months of age.
For dogs older than 6 months, the advice is to perform a fecal examination at least 4 times a year. If the dog is at high risk of infection, we recommend sending in samples more frequently.
If the fecal test shows that your dog is infected with roundworms, we will provide you with a personalized treatment plan. This way, your dog’s health comes first and unnecessary deworming is avoided. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we are happy to help.
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