Help!!!!

[Love4Bella]

I have a 20 week old yorkie girl. I got her about 7 weeks ago and have had her dewormed, and all caught up on shots (Her last set is due to be given on monday) And have had no problems with her. We have no other dogs and she does not go outside to go potty, she uses the wee wee pads.

I went to go get her tonight from the kitchen (she lays in her bed in there quite a bit) and on her pad in the kitchen I noticed she had pooped and it looked like there was small parts of spaghetti around her poop. Now I have never owned a dog that has ever had worms before but this is what I am assuming it is.

Now I have a couple of questions.

1. is being that I am pregnant with twins and I know that some worms are able to be spread to humans could I possibly be in danger or my unborn babies?

2. Can taking her to the vet for another deworming take of the it that simple? Or is this going to be a long ongoing process to get rid of it?

3. How could she have got this? The only thing that I can think of is from taking her to the groomer because she is not around any other dogs, or has ever been outside since I have had her.

Please help! I am so petrified for her health, my health and my kids health. Thanks!!

[alaskayorkie]

I just googled and found this site that seems pretty good. Don't panic. But see your vet asap:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/6-1-2006-97997.asp

There's much more on the site, but the spaghetti-like description sounds like roundworms.

ROUNDWORMS (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina)

There are two types of Roundworm: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine. This is the most common type of dog worm, which affects the intestines and causes a pot-bellied appearance, mostly in puppies. There are a few ways puppies can become infected. Puppies are often infected before birth through the mother’s uterus or through her milk. Puppies can also contract these worms through the ingestion of an infected animal (such as a rodent) or infected soil. Roundworm eggs can live in soil for many years. Once a puppy has ingested the infected soil, the eggs will hatch in his intestines, allowing the worms to live there and grow to adulthood. These adults will then produce more eggs.

Roundworms may be found in your dog’s stool or vomit. They can grow to about 7 inches in length and have a spaghetti-like appearance. If this type of infestation is not detected early and is allowed a chance to develop, a buildup of worms in the intestines can cause an obstruction which may result in death. The symptoms of a severe infestation are: pot-belly appearance, diarrhea, vomiting, dull coat and weight loss.

Puppies should be dewormed every 2 weeks between 2 and 12 weeks of age, then monthly until he is 6 months old. Once your puppy has reached 6 months of age, he is less susceptible to contracting these worms but should continue yearly exams (or more often if considered high-risk).

Because Roundworm can be transmitted to humans, it is important to promote good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly. Transmission of this dog worm to humans is usually through infected soil, which may be in your backyard or front lawn. Because the eggs are sticky and can easily adhere to hands or clothing, make sure children (and adults) wash their hands after playing outside (especially at a park or playground), after playing with the dog and before it’s time to eat.

Treatment generally involves administering oral medication (dewormer) with follow-up fecal exams and a monthly heartworm medication. Try 1-800-PetMeds - America's Pet Health Resource

Prevent your dog from contracting roundworms by cleaning up fecal matter from the backyard as often as possible. Also, administering a heartworm medication such as HeartGard - Prescription Heartworm medication for Dogs & Cats is a good preventive. Do not mix wormers and consult your vet before giving your dog any medication. And last, but not least, always remember annual exams.

[bjh]

It sounds like your puppy has tapeworms. Tapeworms look like rice after the crawl out of the dogs poop. Tapeworms are caused from fleas and are easily treated by the vet. Regular worming medicine like they use for roundworms, and hookworms will not kill tapeworms. The vet can give you a little pill to kill the tapeworms. Have you seen any fleas on her? Dogs get tapeworms from eating fleas. She could have had fleas when she was with the breeder.

[mogli]

To transfer the worms, you'd have to ingest them (don't eat her poop! lol) ...

It's a simple process to deworm. 1 pill now, 1 in a week or two ... and poof! all better! Make a vet appt asap!

[bjh]

Dogs get tapeworms form eating fleas that have ingested eggs from a tapeworm larvae. A human would have to eat a flea to be infected.

http://www.olddogpaws.com/tapeworm.htm

[Love4Bella]

I have her on a flea treatment since the 1st day I got her, she gets her dose once a month for fleas but the day after I got her the vet checked her out and said he didn't see any but I give her the treatment as a precaution. I will get her into the vet Monday, Thanks so much for everyones responses!!!

[bjh]

It takes 3 weeks from the time the dog ingests the flea until you start seeing segments. She probably came in contact with them before you got her. She also could have ingested a flea when she was at the groomers. The flea treatment just kills the fleas after they are on the dog and start biting the dog. Do the segments look like rice?

[spruitt7]

Sometimes even if a dog has been dewormed, it isn't enough. Riley had to be dewormed twice. Thats not that big of a deal though. I would just take her to the vet asap.

[jeanietoo]

I've never seen tapeworms that look like spaghetti. Sounds like roundworms

[bjh]

Originally Posted by jeanietoo

I've never seen tapeworms that look like spaghetti. Sounds like roundworms

She said they looked like small parts of spaghetti laying around the poop so I was assuming she was seeing the tapeworm segments that crawl out of the poop. Dogs do not usually pass roundworms unless they have just been wormed then they pass the dead ones. Hopefully she will find out more and let us know.

[Love4Bella]

I will be taking her in to the vet monday morning to get looked at. I am hoping that they can just deworm her and everything will be fine

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by Love4Bella

I will be taking her in to the vet monday morning to get looked at. I am hoping that they can just deworm her and everything will be fine

This is the best plan of action. If your little Bella is eating, drinking, and is active, I wouldn't worry about her too much.