Roundworms, also called Toxocara canis, can be quite common in dogs, but especially in puppies. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to roundworm because they can get it directly from their mother's milk, if she is infected. Indeed, many puppies can be born with roundworm as an infected mother can pass it to them through the placenta.
Roundworm eggs can live for a long time in the ground; so dogs can accidentally ingest the roundworm eggs as they root around on the ground, either by inhaling the eggs through the nose or by picking up something infected in their mouths. Once ingested, the roundworm eggs hatch into larvae that move through your dog's bloodstream and get into your dog's lungs and then into the windpipe. When the larvae get into the windpipe, they get re-swallowed and travel back to the intestines, where they now grow into adult roundworms.
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Adult dogs don't show any symptoms of a roundworm infection, but it will be hard on the puppies. Puppies infected with roundworms will likely be vomiting, suffering from diarrhea and losing weight. Their bellies will become bloated, more than usual puppy tummy, and will look like a potbelly. Infected puppies might also have dull coats and they won't be as active or thrive like most puppies do. An infected dog might occasionally excrete some roundworms, so you might be able to see the roundworms in the dog's stool. The roundworms will appear like strands of wiggling white spaghetti.
Responsible breeders and shelters will check the puppies in their care for roundworm before making them available for adoption. If a puppy is infected, the breeder or shelter will make sure he gets proper medication. Once the puppy is old enough to be adopted, the breeder or shelter will likely let you know that follow-up doses of medication are needed to ensure that the entire roundworm infection is killed.
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