Can Puppies Be Born with Worms? Causes & Treatment Guide
Caring for a litter or puppies produced from your own dog can be highly rewarding, but it also requires a great deal of responsibility to ensure the puppies grow and develop properly, reaching their key milestones on time.
Raising a healthy litter begins with ensuring the dam and sire are in excellent health. Before breeding, both parents should have undergone all necessary pre-breeding health checks, be free from parasites, and be fit enough to carry, deliver, and raise puppies. This includes treating the dam for worms and fleas to prevent transmission.
When a pregnant dog has worms, there is a significant risk that her puppies will become infected either before or shortly after birth. In fact, many pups contract worms from their mother while still in utero through a process called transplacental infection, where worm larvae pass from the dam’s intestines to the developing pups.
Transmission can continue after birth through nursing, as larvae of common intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms can be passed via the mother's milk. Even after weaning, a single infected pup or the dam can quickly spread worms to the entire litter.
Understanding How Puppies Are Born with Worms
It is quite common for puppies to be born with worms if their dam is carrying an infestation prior to or during pregnancy. Transplacental infection allows worm larvae to cross the placenta and infect puppies before birth, especially roundworms, which are known to do this frequently.
Additionally, transmammary infection means that nursing puppies can ingest worm larvae present in the dam’s milk. This dual transmission route means puppies are at risk from the moment they are conceived until they no longer nurse.
Beyond vertical transmission, puppies can acquire worms from environmental exposure by ingesting contaminated soil, faeces, or infected intermediate hosts, so maintaining a clean environment is also crucial.
Spotting the Signs: Identifying Worms in Young Puppies
Often, worm infestations in puppies may not be immediately obvious. Symptoms usually appear only when the infestation is quite heavy, so watching carefully is vital.
If you observe worms in the stool or vomit of any pup in the litter or the dam, assume the entire group is infected and treat all together.
Common visual signs include:
- Bloated, pot-bellied appearance
- Failure to grow or gain weight appropriately despite a hearty appetite
- Vomiting or regurgitation
- Pale gums or signs of anaemia in severe cases
- Weakness or lethargy
Because litters produce a lot of faeces, getting familiar with what common worm types look like (e.g., spaghetti-like roundworms or small rice grain-like tapeworm segments) can help early detection.
If you are concerned about a pup’s development or suspect worm infestations, consult your vet promptly for diagnosis and advice.
Safe and Effective Treatment of Worms in a Young Litter
Treating worm infestations in puppies requires careful consideration as most adult worm medicines are not suitable for very young pups.
Veterinary guidance is essential to determine the correct worming medication and dosage tailored for young puppies. Treatments often involve multiple doses at set intervals to fully eradicate the worms and prevent reinfestation.
Wormers eliminate worms present at the time but do not provide lasting preventive protection like some flea treatments, so ongoing parasite control and hygiene are vital.
In addition to medicating the puppies, ensuring the dam is worm-free reduces the risk of continual transmission during nursing.
Preventing Worm Infections: Key Steps for Responsible Owners
- Pre-breeding vet checks: Ensure both parents are healthy and properly dewormed before mating.
- Regular litter monitoring: Observe puppies closely for signs of worms, particularly pot-bellied pups or those not thriving.
- Hygienic whelping area: Keep the nesting area clean and free from faeces to reduce environmental contamination.
- Veterinary advice on worming schedules: Follow your vet's recommended timing for deworming puppies from two weeks of age and throughout early development.
- Educate and prepare: Learn to recognise worms and understand the lifecycle to better protect your puppies and dam.
Using reputable breeders or adopting puppies only from responsible sources where health screening, including parasite control, is prioritised can hugely reduce worm-related problems.
Common Questions About Puppies and Worms
Can worms be harmful to very young puppies?
Yes, severe worm infestations can cause malnutrition, poor growth, anaemia, and even life-threatening illness in puppies. Early detection and treatment are crucial to protect their health.
How frequently should puppies be wormed?
Most vets recommend starting at two weeks old and repeating treatments every 2-3 weeks until puppies are about 12 weeks old, then continuing regular worming throughout life as directed by your vet.
Are some worm treatments safe for puppies under 2 weeks?
Puppies this young usually require vet-approved treatments specifically formulated or dosed for neonates. Avoid over-the-counter products not specified for newborns.
Why is it important to worm the dam too?
Because puppies get worms from their mother in utero and via nursing, treating the dam decreases the parasite load and lowers the risk of re-infection for her pups.
How can I find a healthy puppy?
Look for puppies from reputable breeders who screen for health issues including parasite control. Alternatively, consider adopting from local rescue organisations that provide health checks and deworming before rehoming.
Conclusion
Puppies can indeed be born with worms, most commonly inherited from their mother either before birth or through nursing. Careful pre-breeding health management, close monitoring for signs in the litter, and appropriate worming regimens are key to raising healthy puppies.
Always consult your veterinary surgeon for tailored advice and treatment plans. With early intervention and responsible care, you can ensure your puppies have the strongest start in life, free from the impacts of worm infestations.
