Deworming Your Dog
Is Very Important

Deworming your dog is highly recommended even though many resources we have talked to vary in their overall schedule. Keep in mind though that almost all puppies will have intestinal worms when they are born.

Because of this one fact all puppies should be dewormed aggressively starting at about three to four weeks of age with treatments repeating about every 2 weeks at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age.

It is also a good idea to continue deworming the puppy at least once per month until the puppy is at least 6 months old. Later on, as the puppy matures, it is a very good idea to put the GSD puppy on a heartworm preventive medication that is also effective in treating hookworms, roundworms and other types of worms.

Just so you'll know, infected puppies shed roundworm and hookworm larvae continuously in their feces.

Later on, if they happen to dig or play in the same area where they pooped earlier, they will reinfect themselves. Roundworms and hookworms can be treated easily enough with a good quality dewormer.

If your dog lives in an area where exposure to various kinds of worms is very high it is a good idea to deworm your dog or puppy every three to six months throughout it's life.

---

Also, if your dog eats poop from any kind of any animal it should also be treated for hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms as often as every three months.

There are many other kinds of worms that your dog may become infected with such as whipworms and the like.

To be sure exactly what kind of worm infestation your pet has, you will need to take your pet (or a stool sample) to the veterinarian for a fecal exam.

If you have a puppy or dog and have not wormed it in some time please consult your veterinarian for more information about deworming your dog or perhaps follow the suggested worming schedule listed within this brief article.

Below is one example of a deworming schedule that we use quite frequently per Drs. Foster and Smith. As always, please contact your veterinarian with any questions that you may have concerning deworming your dog.

Deworming Your Dog - Deworming Schedule

Deworming Puppies

* Initiate treatment at 2 weeks; repeat at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. For a puppy at increased risk, also treat at 10 and 12 weeks, and then monthly until the puppy is 6 months old. Thereafter, use a heartworm preventive medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms.

Deworming Nursing Dams

* Treat concurrently with pups.

Deworming Adult Dogs

* Treat regularly for prevention. Also monitor and eliminate parasites in pet's environment.

Deworming Newly Acquired Animals

* Worm immediately, after 2 weeks, and then follow above recommendations.

Here are a few great dog wormers to try

Return from Deworming Your Dog to GSD Health Problems

"Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that is how dogs spend their lives." -- Sue Murphy