How to tell if Yorkie has worms?
Worms are one of the most common health problems for all dogs including Yorkies. There are several types of worms found in yorkies: roundworms, heartworms, whipworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Some of them are easy to spot, while others are difficult and shows symptoms only when the illness is progressed to a more advanced stage. It is very important to spot the illness in the beginning stage, so that you can take necessary actions to get rid of worms until it’s progressed and is more difficult to get rid of. So, how to tell if yorkie has worms?
When your Yorkie isn’t being his usual self, you might start worrying about common illnesses like worms. There are some most common symptoms that can tell you if your pet has worms or it’s a different illness. Yorkies also have very sensitive digestive tracts, so some of the symptoms can also be caused simply by eating new foods they aren’t used to. So, what I usually do, I give dewormer and see if there is any change.I’ve tried several different dewormers and this one is my yorkie’s favorite: Bayer Chewable Quad Dewormer for Small Dogs
I strongly recommend you to talk with a vet. You can do this online, by clicking this link: chat with on-call veterinarians.
So, how to tell if yorkie has worms or just a sensitive stomach?
5 most common symptoms:
- A pot belly – it might not be his diet if your Yorkie has gained weight that seems to be centered in his stomach. Dogs who get worms often start to take on a pot bellied appearance due to bloating. This is more common in puppies than adult dogs though, so this symptom may not be present in older dogs!
- Dull coat – dogs who have worms often develop a dull coat or an itchy rash. If your Yorkie is scratching or seems a bit scruffier than usual, this could be another sign he might have worms. Don’t forget that Yorkies are prone to dry skin, so it’s not necessarily caused by worms.
- Coughing – dogs who have an advanced infection of heart-worms will often develop a cough, although this can be a symptom of intestinal worms as well. Of course, your Yorkie might have a cold too, but if the coughing lasts for longer than a week, it’s time to see the vet.
- Lack of energy – Yorkies are usually a pretty perky breed. If you have an energetic dog that suddenly seems tired all the time, this can be a symptom of worms. It can also be a symptom of other illnesses, so in all cases you should see the vet.
- Rubbing butt on the floor – while it may be frustrating to find your dog somewhere rubbing its butt on the carpet, it’s a sign your dog is trying to scratch an itch. An itchy butt is a common symptom of worms.
Other things to consider
Of course, worms also are often visible in stool as well – tapeworms will look like grains of rice, whereas roundworms will look like spaghetti. Take a look at what he leaves behind when he’s out for a walk, but even if you don’t see them, that doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t have them! If you do see them, don’t panic. Worms are pretty common in dogs, and there are lots of medications out there to treat them effectively.
If you see any of these symptoms in your Yorkie, it’s time for a trip to the vet! He might not love it once he knows where he’s going, but he’ll thank you later. While there are many over-the-counter deworming options, a vet will be able to test for the specific type of worms your dog has. Plus, a Yorkie’s petite size makes it easy to accidentally give them an overdose of medication, so a vet will be able to advise you on what type of medication will work for the type of worm your dog has, and how much to give him. He’ll be his usual happy self in no time!
Types of worms:
1. Heartworms
It can take up to several years before your Yorkie shows any symptoms of having heartworms. It is mostly diagnosed in dogs that are two to nine years old, because it takes five to eight months to mature into adult heartworms.
How to tell if yorkie has heatworms:
- dry and soft cough
- general weakness
- anemia
- loss of energy
How to diagnose heartworms in Yorkie?
Blood test. You cannot see the heartworms in stools for obvious reason: it’s in your dog’s heart! So, a simple blood test will diagnose if your Yorkie has heartworms. If he does, don’t panic! Your vet will give him the right treatment to get rid of them.
2. Roundworms
Roundworms are mostly found in puppies and they reduce the growth rate of your dog. They are found in your dog’s intestinal tract as they eat a partially digested food. Roundworms will steal all the necessary nutrients for your dog, thus your yorkie stops growing.
Ho to tell if yorkie has roundworms:
- vomiting or diarea
- visible in stools
- worms can be vomited
- malnorishment
How to diagnose roundworms in Yorkie?
Stool sample. Visit your vet and ask to examine a stool for parasites and eggs.
3. Hookworms
First sign that your dog has hookworms is poor appetite. Hookworm larvae can be found in lungs and make your Yorkie cough.
Ho to tell if yorkie has hookworms:
- coughing
- dark stool
- diarrhea
- constipation
How to diagnose hookworms in Yorkie?
Stool sample. Hookworms are invisible with the naked eye and must be microscopically examined.
4. Tapeworms
Tapeworms are tiny worms that live in your yorkie’s gut. Usually, they do not cause any serious problems and can be easily treated. There are various kinds of tapeworms and they are mostly cause by swallowing an infected flea. Tapeworms are visible with naked eye and you can see them in your yorkie’s poop.
Ho to tell if yorkie has tapeworms:
- you can see worms crawling near the anus
- you can find worms in poop
- rubbing butt on the floor
- licking or biting anus
- vomiting
How to diagnose tapeworms in Yorkie?
Stool sample. Tapeworms are visible by naked eye and you can see worms near anus area or in your dog’s poop. In most cases anus becomes itchy and yorkies are scooting anus across the ground.
5. Whipworms
Whipworms, also known as “Trichuris Vulpis” are small intestinal parasites. These worms live in cecum and colon and they cause severe irritation and discomfort. Not always dogs show signs of infection in the early stages, so it’s difficult to diagnose.
Ho to tell if yorkie has whipworms:
- weight loss
- diarrhea
- bloody stools
- anemia
How to diagnose whipworms in Yorkie?
Stool sample. Whipworms are invisible by naked eye, so you need to take your dog to a vet, so that he can inspect stool under a microscope.
How to get rid of worms?