Puppy Keeps Being Sick - Page 2

Thank goodness I'm glad I was wrong. Best wishes, Melanie

Phew! Wonderful news! Pia

This just goes to show that the FIRST thing one looks at, even in pups who have been wormed, is that they may still be carrying a heavy burden of worms. I have imported several dogs from Europe and they have always been wormed and I ALWAYS find they still have a heavy worm burden. The other thing one often forgets is that if the de-worming medication is not administered in the right period of the life cycle of the parasite, one may not kill all the parasites. When a pup is not gaining weight, coat is dry, throwing up just after eating, the chances are very high that it is worms and not some of the other dire things posted here. In medicine, always look for the first and most plausible explanations first. Mesoesophagus, for example, is not that common thankfully.

Good points Hodie! I have started to see that not all worming meds are effective as they once were.

Kevin, In fact, the meds are very effective, but again, the real issue is whether the medication is given at the proper stage of infestation. Given the high load of worms in some areas and some kennels (and this is especially true of European kennels), there are likely to be parasites, especially round worms, in various life stages present in a given pup or dog. The medications may not get the parasite that is not in a particular stage and later, after you think the dog should be free of worms, it is not. This is exactly why worming and de-worming several times over the life of the pup, and even in older dogs where there is reason for concern, is a good idea. Finally, having an occasional sampe submitted to check for parasites is not a bad idea either. I have imported pups from excellent kennels and after worming seen a plate of spaghetti. I then worm at least twice more 3 to 4 weeks apart. regards!