The presence of live worms in a dog’s faeces is the most conclusive sign of a worm infestation. You may notice other symptoms before this occurs because the dog is having major gastrointestinal problems, but it is also conceivable that the concurrent symptoms are minor. A worm infestation is a major condition for the dog, regardless of the other symptoms. This is especially true given the possibility of parasite movement across the body. Worm eggs can move through the body to the tissues of key organs, causing the animal to die.

We investigate what occurs when my dog’s excrement contains white worms at AnimalWised. 

White Worms in My Dog’s Poop

Image Credit:Inquisitive Eye

The presence of live worms in a dog’s faeces is the most conclusive sign of a worm infestation. You may notice other symptoms before this occurs because the dog is having major gastrointestinal problems, but it is also conceivable that the concurrent symptoms are minor. A worm infestation is a major condition for the dog, regardless of the other symptoms. This is especially true given the possibility of parasite movement across the body. Worm eggs can move through the body to the tissues of key organs, causing the animal to die.

We investigate what occurs when my dog’s excrement contains white worms at AnimalWised. 

Why are there white worms in my dog’s poop?

White worms in dogs’ faeces are caused by various types of intestinal parasites. These are divided into two groups: roundworms (nematodes) and flatworms (cestodes). Dogs infected with these worms typically eliminate eggs in their feces. When they defecate, they rarely release mature parasites. However, certain species do eradicate these parasites in their adult form, resulting in white worms in a dog’s stool.

Roundworms

Two nematode species parasitize the intestines of dogs, resulting in the removal of adult worms. The following are the primary species connected with this symptom:

Toxocara canis is a kind of canis.

Toxascaris leonina is a kind of toxascaris.

Toxocara canis infection in dogs can occur in four ways:

What is the source of the white worms in my dog’s poop?

Different forms of intestinal parasites create white worms in dogs’ feces. There are two types of worms: roundworms (nematodes) and flatworms (cestodes). Dogs with these worms usually expel eggs in their stools. They rarely expel adult parasites when they defecate. Certain species, on the other hand, do eliminate these parasites in their adult state, resulting in white worms in a dog’s stool.

Roundworms

Two nematode species parasitize the intestines of dogs, causing mature worms to be removed. The principal species associated with this symptom are as follows:

Toxocara canis is a canis species.

Toxascaris leonina is a toxascaris species.

Infection with Toxocara canis in dogs can occur in four ways:

What is the source of the white worms in my dog’s poop?

Different forms of intestinal parasites create white worms in dogs’ feces. There are two types of worms: roundworms (nematodes) and flatworms (cestodes). Dogs with these worms usually expel eggs in their stools. They rarely expel adult parasites when they defecate. Certain species, on the other hand, do eliminate these parasites in their adult state, resulting in white worms in a dog’s stool.

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Image Credit:DanoAberdeen

Roundworms

Two nematode species parasitize the intestines of dogs, causing mature worms to be removed. The principal species associated with this symptom are as follows:

Toxocara canis is a canis species.

Toxascaris leonina is a toxascaris species.

Infection with Toxocara canis in dogs can occur in four ways:

Learn more about roundworm infection in dogs by reading our guide.

Flatworms

Roundworms are not the only parasite that can cause white worms in the stool of a dog. Cestodes from the Taenia and Dipylidium genera. These parasites are flatworms that live in the intestine. Instead of triggering direct egg elimination in the feces, they expel egg-engorged parts of their body. These segments are known as proglottids, and they look like microscopic worms in feces, flattened, mobile, and pale in colour.

Although they look to be white worms in a dog’s excrement, they are actually worm egg pieces. These cestodes’ proglottids are easily distinguished from the adults of Toxocara and Toxascaris. 

Learn more about roundworm infection in dogs by reading our guide.

Flatworms

Roundworms are not the only parasite that can cause white worms in the stool of a dog. Cestodes from the Taenia and Dipylidium genera. These parasites are flatworms that live in the intestine. Instead of triggering direct egg elimination in the feces, they expel egg-engorged parts of their body. These segments are known as proglottids, and they look like microscopic worms in feces, flattened, mobile, and pale in colour.

Although they look to be white worms in a dog’s excrement, they are actually worm egg pieces. These cestodes’ proglottids are easily distinguished from the adults of Toxocara and Toxascaris. 

What if my dog urinates white worms?

The presence of white worms in a dog’s feces indicates that the parasitism has advanced significantly. The eggs have hatched, the larvae have grown, and the adult worms have been consumed. As indicated in the introduction, it is possible that no other noticeable concomitant symptoms existed. However, it is more frequent for the dog to exhibit a variety of clinical parasitization symptoms.

When worms infest a dog, the resulting disease is known as parasitosis. When a dog is plagued with any form of parasite, including white worms in their stool, there are two major issues:

Worms and their effects on dogs

The presence of these parasites in the animal’s body might result in a variety of clinical symptoms. Symptoms of infection may not be detected in adult or immunocompetent animals. Symptoms are far more likely to appear in puppies and other immunocompromised canines. These are some examples:

Developmental issues

Poor physical appearance

swollen abdomen

Weight reduction

Issues with the eyes

Difficulties with breathing

Vomiting

Diarrhea

The presence of the parasite in the stomach and intestine causes gastrointestinal issues. As previously stated, mature parasites are commonly eliminated by dogs through their feces or vomit.

In the case of Toxocara canis, the larval stages of the parasite can migrate to the lungs. This is typically connected with the onset of pneumonia, which is accompanied by coughing, nasal discharge, and an increase in respiratory rate. In severe situations, both the pulmonary migration phase and the enteric or intestinal phase (owing to intestinal rupture and peritonitis in dogs) might result in the death of the parasitized animals.

How dog worms harm others

Because they are a sort of zoonosis, this type of parasitism is extremely important for public health. This means they are a dog sickness that can be transmitted to people. The larvae of the roundworm Toxocara canis, in particular, can be transmitted to humans and induce a sickness known as visceral

What should I do if my dog’s stool contains white worms?

As we saw in the preceding section, the presence of worms in your dog’s poop is significant for the entire household and community. This is owing to the possibly deadly health consequences for the dog, as well as the possibility of infection of humans and other animals.

You should follow the approach outlined below to cure white worms in your dog’s poop:

Veterinarian: The first step is to visit our trustworthy veterinarian clinic. They will perform a stool test to diagnose the parasitism and identify the precise parasite species that is causing the infection.

A particular antiparasitic medication should be developed based on this. This will be depending on the correct parasiticide that will kill the white worm species.

Hygiene: It is critical to maintain a high level of hygiene in the home to prevent the virus from spreading to other animals or people. It will also aid in the prevention of reinfection in affected animals. As disinfectants for the animal’s living areas and accessories, heat (> 60 oC/140 oF), sodium hypochlorite (bleach), benzalkonium chloride, or potassium hydroxide can be employed.

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Image Credit:Matthias Welwarsky

Contamination prevention: To avoid environmental contamination, a number of steps must be done. As a result, the infection will not be transmitted to individuals, particularly youngsters.