Worming Schedule

Worms can be one of the most common and frustrating ailments of puppies and kittens but sometimes can be the easiest to fix.  Hookworms and roundworms are by far the most common.  Roundworms compete with your pet for food and can cause malnutrition or intestinal obstruction.  Hookworms live on intestinal blood and can cause anemia.

Strategic Deworming Guidelines

 Strategic deworming is a practice recommended by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Puppies

• Every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, starting at 2 weeks old.
• Once a month from 3 to 6 months of age
• After 6 months, follow adult recommendations.  Also after six months, use a heartworm preventative medication that is effective against hookworms and roundworms.

 Adult Dogs

• Treat regularly, considering potential exposure to parasites (example:  four times a year)
• A continued surveillance of parasite prevalence in your area is recommended.

Bitches

• Once prior to mating
• Once at birthing
• Lactating bitches should be treated concurrently with puppies.

Newly Acquired Animals

            Note:  Obtain the deworming history of the new pet from previous owner.

• Immediately; then repeat after 2 weeks, then follow guidelines above.
  
   

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  TYPES OF WORMERS

  Round worms:  Strongid T (pyrantel pamoate) - yellow liquid given once, and then 2 weeks later. 
  In a stubborn case, treat 3-5 days in a row, and then repeat the same in 2 weeks.  If you have a litter of puppies, the first worming should be at 2 weeks of age, repeated every two weeks until 8 weeks of age.
  The mother should be treated at the same time.

  Hook worms: Strongid T (pyrantel pamoate) - yellow liquid given once, and then 3 weeks later. 
  In a severe case, treat 3 days in a row, and then repeat in 3 weeks.  Drontel is another medication prescribed for hookworms.  It comes in pill form, and is also used to treat tapeworms.

  Tape worms: Droncit, Drontel, or Centex - serrated tablet given once, repeat if tapeworms reappear.