My dog has tiny white worms. What are they, and can I treat them affordably?

Typically, the only type of worms that can be seen in a dog's feces are roundworms and tapeworms. Medications that kill tapeworms are available only from the vet, and do require a visit. While there are OTC deworming treatments, they don't kill tapeworms, so you could be treating Chato but not killing the worms in his system. I would recommend taking him into the vet for an exam. He should get Drontal, which kills the four types of worms that infect dogs: Tapeworms, roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com

I am so sorry to hear that your new puppy Mia Grace has worms. This can be very troubling for you both. First of all rest assured that worms are very common in puppies. So much so that puppies are routinely treated several times from 2-3 weeks old. It is possible that Mia Grace never had these routine de-working treatments when she was younger and should have them now instead. Dogs make the ideal candidates for worm infestations, as they scavenge, and inspect other animals fences. Most worms that infect dogs -- including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms -- live in the intestines, so that’s the first place for your vet to look. I would suggest taking Mia Grace in for a check-up with your vet as she is new to your family. The vet will check her overall health and will make sure she is up to date on her vaccines. De-worming tablets or injections are relatively inexpensive and table from $10, depending on weight of your dog. I hope this answer was helpful!

Those look like they are probably roundworms. She would have gotten them from coming into contact with infective eggs in the soil most likely. (From where another dog pooped and that poop contained roundworm eggs, then your dog was nosing around near where that was (even if there was no obvious poop on the ground, the eggs will stay in the soil). It is not a result of the food. You can get effective roundworm treatment over the counter. Look for a pyrantel product and follow the label instructions. Feed stores will generally carry it. Something like this: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pfizer-nemex-2-pyrantel-pamoate-oral-liquid-2-oz?cm_vc=-10005 Be sure to follow the label instructions. Also, ideally take a stool sample in to your vet so they can do a fecal exam and determine if any other parasites are present. Thanks for asking PetCoach!

It sounds like Saphira may have worms! If they look like grains of rice, then they are tapeworms. Tapeworms require praziquantel to kill, which is prescription only from the vet. You will have to take her in to the vet. I would see if you can borrow money from family and friends to afford the vet, you can see if you vet accepts payment plans, you can apply for Care Credit online, or you can see if there is a low cost clinic in your area. I hope this helps!

It could be a tapeworm segment, which look like a grain of rice. Praziquantel is needed to kill tapeworms, which is available by prescription only from the vet. I would take your dog into the vet on Monday. The vet can confirm she has tapeworms, and can give her Drontal to kill them (Drontal contains praziquantel).

Hello, sorry to hear about Juju. Most of the time, those are tape worms that are contracted from fleas. Juju needs to get dewormed and be treated for fleas so that you can have the best chance to rid the infection. Unfortunately, deworming medications can be obtained from your veterinarian. Fortunately, it does not tend to be an expensive medication. I would call your veterinarian and ask if they do deworming appointments or if they require a full physical exam. Hope this helps and best of luck.

You can get her an OTC deworming treatment called Panacur. Keep in mind that it doesn't kill tapeworms, which requires a prescription medication called prazaquantel. You will have to get that medication (I recommend Drontal) from a vet, but you can give Penelope Panacur.