As a new puppy owner, you may be unsure about how to properly deworm your puppy. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of deworming a puppy, including when and how often to deworm, types of deworming medication, and how to administer the medication.
Deworming is an important part of a puppy’s health and well-being because puppies are often susceptible to parasites. Deworming involves giving medication to kill these parasites and prevent future infections.
Puppy Deworming Vaccination Schedule
Deworming involves giving medication that kills the possible parasites in your puppy’s gastrointestinal tract. The exact deworming schedule will depend on the puppy’s age and risk of exposure to parasites.
- In general, the breeder will give deworming medication at two weeks of age and then every two weeks until the puppy is three months old.
- At the age of 10 to 12 weeks, either the breeder or the new owner gives the medication a week before the puppy’s first vaccination.
- The last deworming happens a week before the second vaccination, so in the timeline, it’s around week 15.
Deworming a week before vaccinations can help to boost the puppy’s immune system. By removing parasites, the immune system can function more efficiently. This can help the puppy’s body to better respond to the vaccination and create a stronger immune response.
Deworming before vaccination can help to reduce the risk of adverse reactions to the vaccine. Parasites can cause inflammation and other issues in the gut, which can make it more difficult for the puppy to handle the vaccine.
Read more about puppy vaccinations here!
After these, you are done with the puppy deworming protocol. Remember that a puppy can still get worms, deworming is not a preventative measure.
New Recommendations Regarding Deworming
It is important to follow the deworming schedule recommended by your veterinarian and avoid deworming your puppy more frequently than necessary.
Nowadays veterinarians recommend not giving deworming medication ”just in case’. The recommendation is to do a fecal exam first to help determine if deworming is actually needed.
Note that the recommendation is for older puppies and adult dogs. The deworming schedule for young puppies shown above is still recommended by veterinarians.
Is Deworming a Puppy Necessary?
Yes, deworming a puppy is necessary for its health and well-being. Puppies are susceptible to parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms.
Puppies can get parasitic contagion from their mother, especially in cases of puppy mills and irresponsible breeding. These parasites can cause health problems such as weight loss, diarrhea, and anemia.
Deworming is important not only for the health of the puppy but also for the health of humans. Some parasites, such as roundworms, can be transmitted from dogs to humans, especially children.
Can You Deworm a Puppy Too Many Times?
Yes, it is possible to deworm a puppy too many times. Deworming medication is a type of medication that is designed to kill parasites in the puppy’s gastrointestinal tract.
While it is important to deworm puppies to prevent and treat parasite infections, over-deworming them can have negative effects on their health.
Excessive use of deworming medication can also lead to drug resistance, making it more difficult to treat parasite infections in the future.
Can You Deworm a Puppy Too Much?
It is possible to deworm a puppy too much. Overdosing on deworming medication can even be life-threatening.
Excessive deworming can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, and lethargy. In severe cases, it can cause neurological problems or organ damage.
Therefore, it is important to follow the deworming schedule recommended by your veterinarian and avoid deworming your puppy more frequently than necessary.
Regular fecal exams can help determine if deworming is needed and ensure that the appropriate dosage is given.
Puppy Deworming and Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common side effect of deworming medication. This happens most likely due to the medication not being the right one for your puppy. It’s best to try another deworming medication next time. Consult your local vet if your puppy is lethargic, doesn’t eat or drink anything, or the diarrhea lasts longer than a day.
How to Give Puppy Deworming Medicine?
Deworming medication can be given to a puppy in a few different ways, depending on the type of medication and the preferences of the puppy and the owner.
Here are some common methods for giving deworming medication to a puppy:
- Liquid medication: Some deworming medications come in liquid form and can be given directly to the puppy using a syringe or dropper. The medication can be placed directly into the puppy’s mouth or mixed with a small amount of food.
- Pill or tablet: Deworming medication can also come in pill or tablet form. To give a pill or tablet to a puppy, it can be hidden in a small piece of food such as cheese or meat. Alternatively, the pill or tablet can be crushed and mixed with a small amount of wet food or water.
- Chewable tablet: Some deworming medications come in a chewable tablet form, which can be given to the puppy like a treat.
It’s important to follow the dosing instructions provided with the product and to give the medication for the full course of treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about giving deworming medication to your puppy, consult with your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Deworming is a critical aspect of your puppy’s health care. Following the appropriate deworming schedule, administering medication correctly, and working closely with your veterinarian can help prevent and treat parasitic infections in your puppy.
Remember to maintain good hygiene practices to minimize the risk of parasites. You can help keep your puppy healthy, happy, and free from harmful parasites with proper care and attention.
