Internal Parasites
The very idea of an infestation of worms in a puppy or an adult shepherd is pretty disgusting. Some worms, such as the tape-worm, are relatively asymptomatic in healthy dogs, meaning the dog's health does not noticeably suffer as a result of infestation. But other worms cause serious illness, such as roundworms, whip-worms, and hookworms. Still other worms can be lethal if not prevented or treated immediately.
Heartworms
The most lethal of all worms, and the parasite with which most owners are familiar, is heartworm. Heartworm is not transmitted through feces, urine, or vomit. Rather, a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae must bite a dog, injecting the larvae into the dog's blood. Once in the dog's bloodstream, the larvae migrate to the dog's heart, where adult worms may grow from six to twelve inches long. In addition to taking up residence in the heart, heart-worms may also live in pulmonary arteries and major veins supplying the heart.
If left untreated, heartworms may cause congestive heart failure or renal failure. The treatment for ridding a dog of these worms is lengthy and not without risks, so preventing heartworms is the easiest way to keep your shepherd safe. Heartworm medications can be given orally on a daily or monthly basis.
Intestinal Worms
Virtually all German shepherds will have intestinal worms at some point in their lives. The intestinal worms that cause the most trouble are roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Tapeworms can also be problematic, but the infestation must be quite heavy or the overall health of the infected shepherd quite frail for infestation by this parasite to have serious implications.
Most puppies are born with roundworm because the larval stage of these worms is passed to the puppies from their mothers. For this reason, breeders worm their pups at two, four, six, and eight weeks of age. It's your job to have your veterinarian continue these dewormings at ten and twelve weeks.
Roundworms are most frequently seen in puppies and cause a puppy's belly to appear distended. Though the pups look like they're full and plump, they are actually quite ill. If the round-worms are not eradicated, the pups will become malnourished and emaciated. The larvae from these worms can migrate to the puppy's lungs, which causes coughing. Other symptoms of an infestation are diarrhea, vomiting, a rough-textured coat, and underdeveloped muscling.
Ingesting the fecal matter or vomit of an infected dog transmits hookworms. Adult hookworms attach to the lining of the intestines and can cause anemia, vomiting, and chronic bloody diarrhea. The same dewormer that is effective in overcoming roundworms is effective in getting rid of hookworms.
Whipworms attach themselves to the dog's colon and cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and severe weight loss Though a dewormer is effective in ridding the dog of whipworms, it is very easy for the dog to become infested again. The larvae from whipworms can live up to thirty-five days or longer, while adult worms have a lifespan of up to sixteen months. Eggs are shed through fecal matter and can re-infect your shepherd. Careful, daily pickup of all fecal matter in the yard is required to reduce the chance of this happening.
Isn't there any way to prevent your shepherd from getting worms in the first place?
Yes. Infestations of roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms can be prevented entirely by giving your shepherd one of several heart-worm preventives on a regular schedule.
Tapeworms are the largest of the blood ingesting intestinal worms. With lengths of up to several feet, depending on the type of tapeworm, you would think that these worms would be more devastating than they actually are. In fact, puppies and adults with tapeworms are often asymptomatic. A very heavy infestation of tapeworms may cause slight weight loss, a decrease in appetite, and a dull coat — but usually these symptoms are not obvious.
Often, tapeworms are discovered either by the owner spotting sections of tapeworms in the dog's feces or through an annual, routine fecal exam with the veterinarian. Tapeworms are easily eradicated using a dewormer.
