You’ve spotted white specks in your dog’s poop, and you’ve come to this article to find out what they could be? Well, these white specks could really be anything! But is most likely related to a parasite, causing infection within your dog. Now the next question is, what type of parasite?
If you notice white specks in your dog’s poop, it could indicate tapeworm, which is an extremely common parasite for most dogs to encounter. Tapeworm feeds off food that is being ingested by your dog, and sometimes will emerge as a complete or segmented worm/s in your dog’s stool.
It’s important to note, however, that it could be any form of parasite (which we explain in this article). Apart from tapeworm: roundworms, hookworms, or even whipworms might also be the culprit. But whatever the situation, any sort of infection must be treated — so a visit to your local VET will never do any hard.
What Kind of Worms Can Be Seen in Dog Poop?
There are a few common worms that can be found in dogs, each presenting different appearances and symptoms which your dog might be experiencing. Any form of parasite lying within your pet animal’s stool shouldn’t go untreated and is something you should treat with concern.
Here is a list of the most common kind of worms that can be seen in dog poop:
- Tapeworms – Hatches and lives in the gut.
- Roundworms – Roams freely, living in the intestine and host’s body.
- Hookworm – Attaches itself to the lining, feeding off of the small intestine.
- Whipworm – Infection within the cecum and large intestine.
- Heartworm – A deadly parasite that lives with the blood vessels, lungs, heart, and surrounding areas of animals.
What Do Tapeworms Look Like in Dog Poop?
Tapeworms are a class of parasitic worms that can make a way to live within the intestines of dogs. Unfortunately, tapeworms are somewhat common in animals, such as cats and dogs — and are sometimes sighted when observing your pet’s stool.
When looking for tapeworms, they might appear as small rice pebbles scattered within the feces. These come from split-segments, which are actually long ribbon-like worms. They can appear white, creamy, or transparent – with circular lines covering its entire body.
Do Tapeworms in Dog Poop Move?
Yes, tapeworms in dog poop can move around — often similar to the appearance of white-grain rice, wriggling around and within the infected area. Having said that, tapeworms can still be present in your dog’s poop but will be immobile.
Tip: If you spot tapeworms in your dog poop that isn’t moving, it’s still best to have him/her checked with the VET to begin a course of treatment.
What Does Roundworms Look Like in Dog Poop?
It is unlikely you’ll find roundworms in your dog’s feces – mainly because they hatch within a dog’s intestinal tract. Meaning you won’t spot them moving around or lingering after your pooch has taken a fresh dump. If you do find them, however, extremely rare, microscopic examination is the best course when trying to identify such parasites.
Roundworms look like long, thick pasta — it might stick out from your dog’s poop or be wrapped completely around it. Sometimes, it can look like a noodle that is spiraled within (and around) your dog’s poop, both moving or still — depending on the circumstances.
Do Roundworms Move in Dog Poop?
If you’re fortunate enough to detect roundworms moving in your dog’s poop, which can occur on rare occasions: will appear to be slow- wriggling, and might alone be only one or two. Most roundworms, however, disguise themselves and are difficult to spot.
Can You See Hookworms in Dog Poop?
Unlike other parasites in dogs, from time to time, hookworms can be seen in a dog’s poop. Much like their name insists, hookworms are shaped like a thin noodle, with two hook-like-tails on either end. They’re a creamy-white color or sometimes translucent.
Can You See Whipworms in Dog Poop?
Whipworms are hard to spot in a dog’s poop: if you’re looking to find them, they require microscopic examination. And even so, it can take multiple feces samples to truly identify if whipworms are lingering within your pooch. This is because whipworms exit on an irregular basis — making finding an answer both longer and harder.
What Does Heartworm Look Like in Poop?
Unlike other similar parasites, heartworm in your dog’s poop can appear undisguisable. Heartworm (or Dirofilaria Immitis) looks like a cluster of thin, white noodles. And are one of the more serious infections for your pet to have.
A less serious case of heartworm can be treated with adequate prophylaxis. More serious cases of heartworm require proper medical attention or surgery. The key point is looking out for symptoms that can disguise themselves — to ensure your dog is suffering any longer than he/she needs to be.
Symptoms of Heartworm in Dogs:
Coughing – If your dog has a mild but ongoing cough, accompanied by the other symptoms mentioned below, this is a cue that your dog is suffering from heartworm disease.
Decreased movement – A reduction in physical activity is a major indication of a significant health issue. Signs of fatigue are also symptoms.
Weight loss – Your dog might be eating in oddly small increments or avoid eating altogether. These, including weight loss, are indicators of heartworm disease.
Heart failure – Although it can go undetected, heart failure is a major symptom.
Swollen belly – Excess fluid in the abdomen, accompanied by swollenness is a concern to follow-up on.
What Causes Worms in Dogs Poop?
A common problem for most dogs is internal parasites, which are indicative of worms (or white specks) often seen within their stool. For a dog to contract worms: numerous reasons could have caused such an infection.
Here are a few things that can cause worms to appear in your dog:
- Consuming/sniffing infected animal stool/discharge
- Contracted from the mother (if she was infectious)
- Eating larvae/eggs from infected prey and rodents
- Licking or walking on contaminated soil
- Obtained through surrounding fleas within the environment
Can Dogs Get Rid of Worms on Their Own?
If your dog has a case of worms, it’s important to consult with your vet and undergo an effective deworming treatment because dogs can not get rid of worms on their own. There are, however, different deworming medications that can assist your dog in building-up his immune system and fight off such parasites.
When worms are left untreated, however, this can impose a serious threat to your dog’s overall health. Not only will your dog become noticeably sick- appearing significantly lethargic and causing extreme damage to the liver. But untreated worms can also cause death.
It’s important to remember to watch out for the signs and help your dog get rid of them, to become happier and healthier.
Is it Normal For My Dog to Poop Worms After Deworming?
Your dog pooping worms after deworming are a sight for sore eyes, as it’s a sign that the treatment is working. So although it can be off-putting to look at, don’t worry too much if this happens. It is reasonably normal and indicates that the medication is eliminating the parasites inside of your dog’s body.
Each dog is different, but your dog can poop worms between one – four times within 3 days. Remember, this is nothing to worry about – and you can expect your dog to go back to pooping normally sometime soon after.
Remember: Paralyzed worms in your dog poop is an indication that the deworming medication is effective.
How Long After Deworming Will My Dog Feel Better?
Once your dog has completed the deworming cycle, you can expect the treatment to take effect from 24 hours onwards. Ideally, 1 – 3 days is a good time to wait. Remember that each treatment has various time-frames. So realistically, it could take longer, judging case by case.
You’ll know that your dog is feeling better, as you’ll notice signs of his usual-self coming back.
If your dog does have an unfortunate high-amount of parasites, your dog might appear “worse” immediately after treatment. He/she might vomit, lose appetite, or experience diarrhea – all of which are good signs that must continue to be monitored. Within the following day or so, your dog should feel better.
How Long Does Dewormer Stay in a Dog’s System?
Depending on the brand, each dewormer produces different side effects — meaning one medication might stay in your dog’s system longer than another. Once your dog has completed his treatment, it’s recommended to repeat this cycle every 2 weeks until the worms have expired.
It’s important to remember that a dewormer will not stay in your dog’s system forever. Once the original treatment subsides, the chances of your dog becoming reinfected again heightens. One of the best ways you can help your dog in the long term is through ongoing treatment. Maintaining a regular deworming cycle (once every 3 months) is sufficient for your dog — and is imperative to deter any reappearance of worms.
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