What is puppy deworming?
Deworming is the practice of getting rid of any worms by administering medicine by mouth. Worms are parasites that can cause gastrointestinal problems. Puppies can get worms and/or parasites from their mother's milk, in utero before birth, and through contaminated soil outside. Puppies that are not dewormed might get ill and suffer from stunted growth, malnutrition, and gastrointestinal upset — which is why it’s important to deworm puppies regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends worming treatments at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age for puppies.
It's important that we deworm BOTH the momma and her puppies. If you only deworm the puppies you are just going to continue the worm's life cycle as they pass through the momma to her puppies through her milk.
*The following is Rockin R Doodles worming protocol, please seek medical advice from your veterinarian.*
Momma Dewormings:
Pyrantel
At the beginning of her heat cycle.
At 50-53 days gestation.
Both Puppies and Momma Dewormings:
Pyrantel Pamoate
At 2 and 4 weeks old.
Toltazuril
At 5 weeks old
Fenbendazole (Safeguard)
At 6 weeks old
Pyrantel
Pyrantel is a limited spectrum wormer that removes and controls Roundworms and Hookworms only. It does not treat tapeworms or whipworms. Pyrantel is safe for pregnant and nursing dogs, along with puppies starting at 2 weeks of age.
Puppies UNDER 5 lbs. require a higher dose of Pyrantel than those OVER 5 lbs, so, that is why you will see the dosage go up higher until the 5 lb mark and then go lower again.
Fenbendazole (Safeguard)
Fenbendazole (Safeguard) is a safe wormer to administer to puppies as well as pregnant or lactating bitches. It is hard to overdose with this but easy to underdose. Round up, not down, when measuring out the dosage. Febendazole treats roundworms, hookworms, lungworms, whipworms, and certain tapeworms (but not the most common ones, so do not use Safeguard for tapeworms). It can also be effective for treating giardia.
Toltazuril
Toltrazuril is an Antiprotozoal/Anticoccidial Agent. It treats and prevents coccidiosis, a condition/infection caused by a protozoan known as coccidia. For the prevention of coccidiosis, we only give one dose of Toltrazuril at 5 weeks of age. If there were to be a positive fecal for coccidia, we would administer a higher dosage for 3 days in a row, and then re-test fecals at our Vet's office.
Comments