worms

[lovemyshiba]

How do dogs get worms??
Kito was tested right after we got him, and we had to give him some medicine. He cleared up, and after we got Abbey, we were supposed to have her tested. I kept forgetting (who remembers to take a bag of poo with them in case they drive past the vets office??), but today we took a nice LONG walk, and they both did their business, so we walked to the vets, and I dropped them off. Turns out, they both have them again, so more medication for them. No problem, except, how do I make sure they don't get them again?? And how are they transmitted from Abbey to Kito? I KNOW they can get them if they eat poo, but they don't.
I'm just curious as to how it is transmitted. And do I have to have them tested every time they are around other dogs???

[Cincy'sMom]

Here is some info on worms:
Hookworms:
Hookworms are found throughout North America, although A. braziliense is more
common in semitropical and tropical areas, and U. stenocephala in the colder north.
Their life cycle has an unusual twist – animals can be infected by ingestion of larvae
either from contaminated soil or water; by eating an infected transport host; through
larvae penetrating their skin, and by larvae infecting fetuses or the young via the
uterus or mammary glands.

Whipworms:
A dog or cat becomes infected by ingesting food or water contaminated with
whipworm eggs. The eggs are swallowed, hatch, and in three months, the larvae
mature into adults in the cecum and large intestine where they burrow their mouths
into the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Adult worms lay eggs that are passed in
the feces. The eggs must remain in the soil for about a month to mature and be
capable of causing infection.

More info:
Worm info at Pet Education (http://www.peteducation.com:80/category_summary.cfm?cls=2&cat=1622)

[Dixieland Dancer]

There are many kinds of worms. What kind did your pups get diagnosed with?

[lovemyshiba]

They were both diagnosed with whipworms, and they have to take medicine once today (they already did--cream cheese works miracles!!), and once in 10 days, and then be retested.
Thanks for the info!!