Pet Mein Keede! (Worms in the Belly!): Your Guide to Deworming Your Dog

Worms are a nasty reality of pet ownership, but they are not something to ignore! If left untreated, these tiny parasites can cause serious illness in your dog. Being a responsible pet parent means knowing how often to give the deworming medicine and understanding the risks.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about keeping your dog’s tummy clean and healthy.

1. The Common Villains (Aam Dushman Keede)

Your dog is vulnerable to several types of worms, often contracted from outside or from fleas:

Worm Type	How They Are Caught	What to Watch For
Tapeworms	By eating infected fleas (often while grooming).	You may see tiny, white, rice-like segments near their bottom or in their poop. Can cause itching and weight loss.
Roundworms	Very common in puppies (passed from the mother).	Look like thin spaghetti noodles in the poop or vomit. Can cause a bloated belly.
Hookworms	From contaminated soil (especially in warmer areas).	Tiny bloodsuckers that can cause anemia (blood deficiency).
Whipworms	From contaminated soil.	Can lead to long-term diarrhea and weight loss.
Giardia	Not a worm, but a microscopic parasite from dirty water/soil.	Causes bad diarrhea.

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The Bottom Line: Any of these can be dangerous, making prevention aadi zaroori (absolutely necessary).

2. How Do Dogs Catch Worms? (Keede Kaise Lagte Hain?)

Dogs are curious and use their mouths for everything! Worms spread through several common routes:

• Eating Dirty Stuff: Licking or eating contaminated soil, grass, or poop on the street or park.
• The Flea Connection: Fleas often carry the eggs of tapeworms. If your dog swallows an infected flea (while scratching/grooming), they get the worm.
• Mother to Puppy: Puppies can get roundworms directly from their mother while still in the womb or through her milk.
• Dog-to-Dog Contact: Spending time with infected dogs in parks or daycares.

3. Signs Your Dog Has Worms (Nishaniyan Kya Hain?)

Your dog will often send you signals if they have an internal infection:

• Visible evidence: Seeing worms or rice-like segments in their poop or near their tail.
• Tummy Troubles: Frequent vomiting or diarrhea.
• Bloated Belly: A distended, round tummy (very common in wormy puppies).
• Scooting: Dragging or rubbing their rear end on the ground (often due to itching).
• Weight Loss: Losing weight despite eating their normal food.

If you see any of these signs, don’t delay! Call your vet immediately for a proper test and diagnosis.

4. The Crucial Deworming Schedule

The timing of deworming is specific and depends on age. Deworming is not a one-time event; it’s a routine.

For Puppies (The Strict Schedule):

Puppies are the most vulnerable and need frequent treatment:

Age of Puppy	Frequency
2 to 12 Weeks	Every 2-3 weeks
3 to 6 Months	Monthly
6 Months Onwards	Follow the Adult Schedule

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For Adult Dogs (The Routine):

• Generally, deworm your adult dog every 3 months (quarterly).
• Talk to your vet! If your dog spends a lot of time outside, plays in parks, or eats strange things, your vet might recommend deworming every 1-2 months.

5. Treatment and Home Remedies (Ilaaj aur Gharelu Nuskhe)

The Reliable Way: Veterinary Treatment

This is the safest and most effective method. Your vet will prescribe a powerful broad-spectrum dewormer (like tablets or liquid) that targets multiple types of worms at once. Always complete the full course as prescribed!

Natural Remedies (Use with Caution!)

Many Indian pet parents like using natural methods, but these should only be used as a supplement or prevention tool, NEVER as a replacement for professional veterinary medicine.

• Pumpkin Seeds: Contain compounds that can help expel worms. Offer them crushed.
• Turmeric (Haldi): Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help heal the digestive system damage caused by worms.
• Papaya Seeds: Are traditionally believed to be effective against intestinal worms.

Important Warning: Always check with your vet before introducing any home remedy to ensure it’s safe and doesn’t interfere with their regular treatment.