As pet parents, we cherish the well-being and happiness of our furry companions. It is important to incorporate regular deworming into their routine care to ensure their overall health. It’s easy and affordable to deworm your pets with the Bob Martin range of products.
It is not always obvious when our pets have worms, and preventing them entirely is nearly impossible; therefore, regular deworming is vital for their well-being.
Why should you deworm your pets?
Worm infestations can have detrimental effects on your pet’s health and overall well-being. Parasites consume nutrients from their hosts, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, and weakened immune systems. Prolonged infestations can cause more severe complications, affecting various organs and systems within your pet’s body. Regular deworming is crucial in preserving your pet’s health by eliminating parasites and allowing their bodies to absorb nutrients properly. It helps maintain their vitality, appetite, coat condition, and energy levels, promoting a happy and active lifestyle.
Signs and symptoms of a worm infestation
Prevention is always better than cure, but it’s a good idea to know the symptoms of a worm infestation so you can get your pets the treatment they need.
Roundworms are one of the most common types of worms in pets, particularly puppies and kittens. Symptoms of roundworm infestation may include an extended abdomen (pot belly), poor coat health, failure to gain weight, appetite loss, dark, tarry diarrhoea, and vomiting or retching. In puppies the Ascarids are large and in sever cases one will actually see the worms coming out of the puppy.
Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that can cause anaemia and blood loss in pets. Symptoms may include pale gums, weakness, fatigue, and dark, tarry diarrhoea. In severe cases, hookworms can lead to life-threatening complications, especially in young or debilitated animals.
Symptoms of tapeworm infestation can include poor coat health, skin lesions, scooting, excessive licking around the anal area, and, occasionally, weight loss.
Whipworms primarily affect dogs and can cause gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms may include chronic diarrhoea, sometimes with mucus or blood, weight loss, and fatigue.
What should I use, and when?
Worm infestations in pets can involve various species and each type of worm requires a specific treatment, or combination treatment to eliminate it effectively. Veterinary expert Dr Jan advises that the correct product should be used at the correct time in order to provide the correct coverage at the correct time. This depends on the age and size of the pet, as well as he time of year.
In very young and small puppies and kittens a roundworm- and hookworm only product can be used. These products are safer for young animals and at this young age there has not been time for a tapeworm or whipworm infestation. As they get older it is preferable that tapeworm is included as well, and at a safe age, a full-spectrum product should be used.
In general, kittens and puppies should be dewormed monthly starting from 4 – 8 weeks of age, until 6 months old.
Deworming in adults should be done at least 4 times a year with a broad-spectrum dewormer – especially if you take your pet out for a walks parks and open spaces as they often pick up the worm eggs there. It’s important to understand that even indoor pets can be exposed to worm eggs, as these can be brought in by owners themselves on their shoes, and by other creatures sharing your environment like other pets, lizards, birds, rodents and fleas
It is crucial to understand what is being used when you want to treat your pet as there are many products on the market with a lot of claims. When looking for a broad-spectrum product that treats all groups of worms – roundworms, hookworms, whipworms as well as tapeworms it is found that most of the topical dewormers do not have the needed spectrum as they lack the tapeworm claim.
These full claims are normally found in oral products such as tablets.
Tapeworms are a particularly common and persistent problem in pets. They are contracted through the ingestion of fleas and are also therefore seen mostly during the warmer months when fleas are more prevalent. This why treatment with a broad-spectrum product is especially important during this time of the year.
These oral formulations, such as tablets, are specifically formulated to combat all worms including tapeworms, providing a reliable solution for complete eradication. By following Vet Dr Jan’s recommendations you can ensure that your pet is thoroughly protected against all common worms including tapeworm infestations. Bob Martin has a range of deworming tablets for cats and dogs of all ages and sizes. To determine the most appropriate deworming method for your pet, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian. They can assess your pet’s specific needs, consider their medical history, and provide tailored recommendations.
Make it a yummy treat.
Administering deworming treatments to our pets can sometimes be a challenging task. Tablets offer the advantage of convenience and ease of administration. They can be easily concealed within a treat or wrapped in a small amount of food, making them more palatable and easier for your pet to consume. Many deworming tablets are formulated to be palatable and go down a treat! Bob Martin also has a deworming powder that you simply mix into your pets favourite food if you find that giving the tablets too difficult – so voila! This helps to ensure that the entire dose is ingested, increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Dewormed pets = happy pets
Deworming your pet is a fundamental step in maintaining the health and wellness our your beloved furry friends. It’s an affordable and easy step in your pet’s healthcare routine and one that will give them the best chance at a healthy life.
