Can Dogs Die of Worms?
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Worms are a the most common type of internal parasite in dogs. They are so common that many guardians experience this problem, often without any serious repercussions if treatment is administered promptly. If this is not the case, the dog can develop life-threatening health problems such as malnutrition, intestinal blockages and anemia. In addition, they will weaken the dog's organism, reducing the capacity of their immune system and making them vulnerable to secondary diseases such as infections. Symptoms may not present until the parasitical load is large, but AnimalWised asks can dogs die of worms?
A dog can die of a worm infestation. Some of the deadliest worms in dogs include heartworms, lungworms, hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms. Whether due to problems directly linked to the infestation or a secondary result, we explain why it is important to prevent worms in the first place and how to do so.
Can a dog die from worms?
Yes, a dog can die from worms when the parasitical infestation is very high and is either left untreated or is treated ineffectually. Worm infestations are particularly dangerous for puppies. These young dogs have not yet developed their immune systems to adequately fight off an infestation, giving the worms the upper hand. It is particularly serious in dogs less than 2 months of age which have not yet had deworming treatment.
Although they generally have a better chance of resistance, adult dogs can also die from worms. They can cause problems with nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss and malnutrition which can be deadly. They can also cause problems such as anemia or intestinal blockages which threaten the dog's organism.
Some worms can even infest the tissue of organs directly. This is the case with heartworms and lungworms. When they infest the tissue, they prevent it from functioning and can directly cause the death of the animal. Again, this is even more dangerous in puppies, but no dog will live if the infestation is sufficiently acute. This makes them some of the deadliest worms in dogs.
Learn how long it takes for a puppy to expel worms in our related article.
What types of worms are the deadliest to dogs?
Any type of parasitical worm can kill a dog if the infestation is sufficiently extensive, but some are deadlier than others. The ‘parasite load’ is the measure of the extent of the infestation. When the parasite load is high, the symptoms become more evident and the risk to the dog's life increases. Treatment is also more difficult, potentially reaching the point where it will no longer be effective.
Here we look at some of the types of worms considered the deadliest in dogs:
Roundworm (Toxocara canis)
Another word for parasitical worm is helminth. These are considered macroparasites, being so large they can usually be seen with the naked eye when adult. This is compared to other parasites such as certain protozoa which can only be seen under a microscope. Roundworm are a type of helminth which are very serious in puppies, but which can often go unnoticed for a long time in adult dogs.
Once symptoms of roundworm in dogs do appear, they are usually a result of intestinal infestation and include the following:
- Abdominal swelling
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Malnutrition
- Inadequate growth
Puppies can become infected through the placenta or breast milk. In puppies under five weeks of age, the larvae of these parasites are so small they can pass through the walls of the intestine and be carried by the bloodstream to the lungs. In older puppies or adults, this larval migration is much less frequent, mainly targeting organs such as the liver, kidneys, muscles or other viscera where they remain in a dormant state.
Hookworms (Ancylostoma or Uncinaria)
Hookworms are another type of roundworm which are distinguished by their large mouth capsule which has teeth. They use these teeth to latch or ‘hook’ onto tissues and suck out blood. Some can be ingested orally, but most burrow directly into the skin in their larval stage. They can survive for long periods in soil or feces, as long as it is not too hot and they don't dry out.
The hematophagous feeding of hookworms causes damage to the intestine when they lodge in there and feed. They can cause chronic ulcerative traumatic enteritis with blood loss. As a result, affected dogs may develop:
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
When it occurs due to hookworms, the dog's diarrhea usually contains blood. The loss of blood and other debilitating effects are particularly problematic for puppies which will become weak relatively quickly.
Other parasites can cause enteritis in dogs, but symptoms may vary. It is linked to dehydration, another reason why the dog may die as a result of a worm infestation.
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)
It is a nematode which is a type of filial roundworm that is located in the pulmonary arteries of our dogs. As the disease progresses, it ends up invading the heart as well, putting the lives of our dogs in serious danger. This is because the worms will deteriorate the tissue of the heart until it can no longer function. This causes the death of the dog.
Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of heartworm in dogs with our related article.
Lungworm (Crenosoma vulpis)
While some species of heartworm can also infest lung tissue, some worms are known for specifically affecting the respiratory system. Lungworms can infect the trachea and enter the bronchi, destroying lung tissue with their infestation. Infection from lungworm is one of the reasons we should not ignore respiratory distress in dogs and take them to a veterinarian for examination. This is one of the deadliest worms in dogs.
Warning signs of worms in dogs
We should be concerned about worms in dogs when the parasitic loads are high, it is chronic or it has weakened the dog significantly. Some dogs may have preexisting health conditions which means their organism is already in a weakened state. Worm infestations in these cases can act quickly and the symptoms appear soon after. Dogs with more resilience may suppress the infestation for longer, meaning they are asymptomatic for long periods.
Among the clinical signs of worms in dogs, we can find the following:
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Growth retardation
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Cough and respiratory distress
- Coagulation problems
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Exercise intolerance
- Pulmonary thromboembolism
- Pneumonia
- Hemorrhages
- Death
When a dog has worms, they will often egest them in their stool. We may be able to see adult worms, larvae or eggs, depending on the type of intestinal worm in dogs. Our article on why a dog's poop has white worms explains more.
How long can a dog live with worms?
An adult dog infected by one of the internal parasites mentioned above usually lives much longer than a puppy with an infestation. This is especially so if the puppy is less than two months of age. In such young dogs, their organism and immune system are not yet sufficiently developed. They do not they have the strength or size necessary to withstand a high parasitic load and the effects of parasitism. The migration of larvae through the body can also cause serious complications which put their life at risk.
When we notice any symptoms of worm infestation in a dog, it is vital we contact a veterinarian immediately. Not treating the problem will worsen the prognosis and can lead to the death of the animal. Treatment will depend on the type of worm infestation, but is usually in the form of oral solutions, pastes or tablets which have antiparasitic effects. Some medicines can be administered rectally.
With a parasite such as heartworm, surgical intervention may be required[1]. This is difficult since the organ tissue is sensitive and the possible risks of surgery need to be weighed against the benefits.
As with all health problems in dogs, prevention is better than cure. Starting a deworming schedule when the dog is a puppy is an important preventive measure in dogs. The types of deworming agents will be determined by the veterinarian who will also set the schedule. This is one of the reasons it is so important to arrange a checkup for puppies as soon as they are born.
It is also worth noting that some of the internal parasites we have discussed are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans. Children being the most sensitive, so deworming our dogs is not only important for the dog, but for everyone with whom them come in contact.
Learn about other diseases dogs can spread to humans in our related article.
How do I know if my dog is dying from worms?
Especially if they are a puppy, dogs infested by worms will show symptoms such as noticeable weight loss, liver failure, pneumonia or respiratory problems such as coughing or exercise intolerance. These warning signs cannot be ignored.
Other more serious symptoms that indicate you are likely suffering from a serious, advanced or deadly parasitism are:
- Anemia
- Malnutrition
- Bleeding
- Thromboembolism
- Heart conditions
- Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal blockage or obstruction in doss can be a result of the proliferation of adult worms. In these cases, the dog's life is in serious danger. If prompt action is not taken, the complications that are already appearing could put their survival at risk.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Can Dogs Die of Worms?, we recommend you visit our Prevention category.
1. Peterson, K. M., Chappell, D. E., Lewis, B., Staton, A., Dement, E., Prater, P. E., & Blanton, R. A. (2014). Heartworm-positive dogs recover without complications from surgical sterilization using cardiovascular sparing anesthesia protocol. Veterinary parasitology, 206(1-2), 83–85.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.08.017