[KellyV]

Don't feel bad, it's not a thing of being stupid.... I think even the *best* dog owner's dog can get them. Fact is, if he goes outside he's at risk - even in your own backyard.

Dogs can pick worms up from a number of places. They can be passed on from their mother at birth, they can get them from walking near an area another dog/cat/rabbit (any other animal really) with worms has defecated, licking/eating something that had worms on it, or like your vet said - from being near a carcass... Heartworms come from bites from infected mosquitos.

Intestinal worms are easily cured. A couple rounds of a dewormer and he should be good as new.... Are you using any kind of monthly heartworm preventative? A lot of heatworm medications also contain dewormers for common intestinal worms too - it's like killing two birds with one stone!