HEALTH
EFFECTIVE WORMING
QCan my dog still get worms even though she’s been given a worming treatment that was recommended by the vet?
Peter Hemmings, County Durham.
Vicky says: Most worming products are metabolised and out of the body in a short period of time. It is possible for the treatment to kill all susceptible worms one day, only for the dog to re-infect himself a few days later. Worming schedules are based on the length of time it would take for a new infection to become potentially problematic for the dog (around three months) or cause a risk of shedding worm eggs into the environment where they could infect children (one month). There are spot-on treatments that have a longer period of action and can kill worms throughout the treatment period. Some worms can’t be killed at all stages of their life cycle so dead and dying worms may be passed in the faeces over a few weeks.