Worming putting puppies off their food

[allie_jane]

Hi there,

On Monday I wormed Jake and Tess (8 weeks old) with some powders I got from the vet, I was meant to give them 2/3 each for 3 days.

Day 1 went fine, but on day 2 they wouldn't eat anything, they they will still drink but they have runny bottoms and look really sad and lethargic..

Today is day 3 and so far they have each had 1/3 of a 3 day dose (only day 1) and haven't really eaten for a day and a half.

I've got an appointment at the vet's for this afternoon (first time puppy owner) but I wanted to know, is this normal?

Cheers

Allie

[Janis]

to be honest allie i have never had worming powders or tablets from a vet i tend to buy from the local pet shop!

i currently have echo who is now 16 week and i worm her with my other two every month ......now that might seem a bit too often but that's just how i do it.

i like to worm them monthly on a smaller does and know that they are fine and that my family particularly my 5 year old son is ok two as we all get down and roll around with the dogs!
i have never found them to be lethargic or troublesome!

if fact all my dogs were just wormed yesterday........echo took hers in a piece of meat without any trouble!


just to add another thing is that i find it cheaper at the pet shop and does the same job.....you don't have to worm them monthly like me.......every 3 months or so would be fine...............if you are looking in the pet shop look out for one for puppies and one that covers both round and tape worm!
_________________
Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

[allie_jane]

I got the puppy worming syrup from the pet shop, but the vet offered the powders when they got their first jags so I thought it would be better to go with that.

I just hate seeing them so down in the dumps, I know it's probably because they have no energy because they are not eating but it's such a worry.

I forgot to add that this morning I found 2 worms on the floor in the house, I don't think they came from the "back end" as they were clean, I'm guessing that one or both of the pups have thrown them up..

Anyway - better safe than sorry, the appointment with the vet is for 4:40 this afternoon, I'll let you know how it goes.

Allie

[Jack]

I found Allie that when I tried to use the sachets many moons ago the dogs refused to eat point blank so I switched to Panacur tablets but for very young puppies I used the Panacur paste which you syringe into their mouths - highly effective and I've never seen any evidence of worms in any of my pets.

Worms themselves, if pets have a fair few, WILL bring about the symptoms you describe above not the treatment. I'd recommend switching the product you use to clear them up and the dogs will be right as rain in no time
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Margaret J]

I'm the same as Janis .....i worm my dogs using off the shelf tablets and have found them just as effective as the vets choice...only cheeper

my lot are quite greedy and will take the tablet and eat it like a sweet and my youngest like Janis's is only 16 weeks......

good luck with it all........go with whatever you are more comfortable with using

[Anna]

I get my worming tablets from the vet, some new thing they have brought out, I don't remember the name but it was only £2. Tilly was fine after it, was a little off her dinner but was back to normal the next day.

I've never heard of a worming powder
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[Jack]

[Anna]

Tilly knows when she is getting medicine, we take a small bit of ham, spread it with some dairylea and roll it up with the pill in the middle, Taste dog medicine
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[Jack]

I favour the hand down the throat routine myself It's the most efficient method for me. I've done the whole wrapping stuff up in food but they just KNOW there's something in there even if I've prepped it without them being in the room with me and washed my hands afterwards so no scent remains - little sods ALWAYS pick the item with the tablet "hidden" in to chew (instead of immediately swallow ) and spit out.

So I just do it, no nonsense but non threatening then they get a teeny treat afterwards
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[tricia]

Hi Allie,
I have found over the years of owning dogs that worming powders are the worst and most difficult
way of worming your dog... the dog /pup knows they are there and will not eat there food!
So if you have been told to give these powders over 3 days, you could find that your pups just wont eat and will feel off colour. It sounds like the powder that you got them to take the 1st day ,did maybe work if they threw up worms....
It sounds like they may have quiet a high worm burden though, I have never experienced a pup/dog bringing up worms.

Pups get worms that are passed on from their mother... the bitch should be well wormed before becoming pregnant and then once the pups are born the breeder should treat the pups for round worm at 2 to 3 weeks and then every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old. After that a dog should be treated for all worms every 3 months.

I always use drontal or panacure worming tablets and find the best way is straight down the back of the throat, then hold their mouth shut for a couple of minutes while rubbing the throat to encourage them to swallow.
You can get these wormers from your vet or on line is cheaper.

Hope your puppies are eating again and feeling a bit better
_________________
Border Terriers........
You can't have just one.........
They're addictive you know!!!!

[Jack]

Aaaah - thanks tricia - was wracking my addled brain to try and remember the other brand I've used - it was Drontal!!
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[tricia]

Also meant to say... that you should treat you dog for fleas at the same time as worming
because the flea carries the Tapeworm egg!

And its not just in the summer time that you need to think about fleas.... with
homes all having central heating these days fleas and pupae can survive all year round.

Here are a couple of links to sites I use to buy animal medicines... a lot cheaper than the vet!
and usually free delivery
http://www.animalmedicines.co.uk/search_results.asp?sec=29&category=Wormers

http://www.petprescription.co.uk/
_________________
Border Terriers........
You can't have just one.........
They're addictive you know!!!!

[allie_jane]

Thanks for all the tips,

Jake was very poorly last night so off to the vet we went, he suggested (as you did) that he probably had a high burden of worms (we wormed him 2 weeks ago and he was fine).

The vet - The Lawrie Practice, gave Jake a very small steroid injection and some gel to help bind him and stop the leaky bottom.

I was so worried about him, when we got him home he was floppy and listless, but we syringed some water into his mouth and let him sleep.

Wonder of wonders he woke up 2 hours later, starving and thirsty and hasn't looked back since. He is still passing worms but is much brighter and is starting to play with his sister again.

They are a little wonder, if it was me I'd stay in bed for a week.

Oh the stress...

Allie x

[Janis]

happy to hear jake is getting back to normal..............sadly you will discover that doggies are like kids and a constant worry and keep us on our toes!
_________________
Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

[Gaelle]