How to Tell If a Pitbull Has Worms

When we've had a Pitbull since it was a puppy, we learn to spot the threats it's exposed to in the environment throughout its life. That's why, besides giving it love, affection, and food, it's also important to learn how to protect it from certain organisms that can put its health at risk.

In this case, we're referring to worms in dogs, a common parasite sometimes visible in their stool, which many people have heard of, but few know how to prevent, fight, or how harmful they can be for our dog.

How Do Intestinal Parasites Appear?

Intestinal worms are the most common parasites affecting our Pitbulls' health. They enter their body when they lick dirty material or other animals' feces, so the eggs are ingested and reach their intestines, an environment favorable for worm reproduction, where the eggs hatch and multiply.

Types of Worms That Can Affect a Pitbull

The main parasites or worms affecting our dogs from puppyhood are flatworms and roundworms.

Roundworms or nematodes such as hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm look similar to spaghetti, which can often be seen when the dog passes stool.

These intestinal worms settle in the thin part of the dog's intestine, where they reach adulthood. Before that, the worms have already traveled through other organs in the animal's body, often causing significant damage that compromises its health.

Another well-known parasite is the "tapeworm," also called the solitary worm. It's well known for how large it can grow, has a pearly appearance, and is flat with several segments.

This worm attaches to the intestine and absorbs all the nutrients from the food our dog eats, which directly affects its health and development.

How to Know If My Pitbull Has Intestinal Parasites?

If we haven't dewormed our puppy properly, it risks suffering the consequences of a possible worm infestation. The most notable symptoms are:

• Swollen belly area
• Dull coat
• Delayed development
• Digestive disturbances, such as diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
• A decrease in immune defenses
• Itching around the anus
• Sometimes seizures and serious damage to the organs affected

When and How to Deworm Our Pitbull

We should keep in mind that all dogs, even from puppyhood, will have intestinal worms at some point in their lives. That's why it's recommended to deworm our Pitbull from puppyhood and regularly.

The first anti-parasite treatment for dogs is prescribed by the vet starting at 2 weeks of age, then recommending the treatment be repeated at 4, 6, and 8 weeks.

For higher-risk puppies, coming from a shelter or dogs abandoned on the street, a longer treatment of about 10 to 12 weeks is needed.

Afterward, we need to keep giving the treatment for up to 6 more months. From 6 months of age onward, how often deworming treatment is needed, as prescribed by the vet, will partly depend on our dog's behavior and surroundings, its lifestyle, whether it goes outside often or not, and its health condition.

Health Problems From Worms

Depending on the type of worm, dogs affected by these parasites can, besides the symptoms mentioned, suffer irreversible damage, such as losing part of their intestine. In this case, the vet will need to perform surgery to repair and replace part of the colon.

How to Prevent Worms in Dogs

Hygiene-based preventive measures are absolutely necessary to keep our American Pitbull Terrier from catching intestinal worms, not only to protect its health, but that of every family member.

• Wash all clothing the day we start deworming treatment to destroy the eggs. Preferably with very hot water.
• Wash your hands after petting our Pitbull.
• Never handle the dog's feces without gloves.
• Prevent our dog from licking our face or any other part of our body.
• Don't let it climb onto beds or furniture.

Risks of Worm Transmission

Humans are also exposed to contamination from this type of parasite — in this case, we're talking about zoonosis. Accidental ingestion of eggs, for example, can happen when we have an undewormed dog at home, or when we play with them in the places they most frequent, such as gardens or grass.

In this case, children are more prone to catching worms directly from their pet, since they generally play and interact more with the household puppy.

So, to reduce the risk of catching this type of parasite, it's essential for everyone in the household to strictly follow the hygiene prevention rules mentioned above, especially children.