Deworming of dogs and cats

Deworming dogs and cats is important not only for their health, but also for the health of their carers. Worms pose a serious threat, especially to children!

For example, roundworms can even cause blindness in humans, while in animals they can cause gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, diarrhoea), poor condition, coat deterioration or body poisoning (in weaker and sick young animals).

It is therefore important to prevent parasitic infestations by preventive deworming of animals and, above all, regular faecal examinations for parasites.

Below, we answer your most common questions about this ailment of your pets. Not all questions can be answered immediately. Therefore, it is most often advisable to consult your KUROSZ Clinic veterinarian before using a particular preparation.

• How often should animals be dewormed? There is no clear answer to this question. This depends on the lifestyle the animal leads. We need to have a different approach for a house pet, a different approach for a dog that spends a lot of time playing with other animals, and a different approach, for example, for cats that hunt mice and other small animals. The lifestyle of working animals (hunting and police dogs) also needs to be taken into consideration. The problem is that even though one day we give a deworming product, the next day our pet can “hunt” for worms again!
• Which anti-parasite measures work most effectively? Although there are a lot of anti-parasite preparations on the market and they work very well, unfortunately, the ideal worm remedy simply does not exist. There is a wide variety of parasites and each has a different level of sensitivity to the medications we use. Therefore, a single administration of a given preparation may not be sufficient.
• What is the best preparation to deworm an animal? This question can only be answered if a faecal parasitological examination has first been carried out. This test is quick, safe and does not require a big investment on the part of the pet carer. Simply bring a sample of the faeces to the clinic and, after a short period of time, you will know whether your pet needs to be dewormed, which parasite infestation we are dealing with and which preparation to use and for how many days.
• Is it possible to become infected when taking a stool sample for testing? No. In order for worms to pose a threat to humans, they must be in what is known as an invasive form (this is the point in the life of the worm larva that can cause disease). Fresh faeces do not contain invasive forms of parasites and therefore pose no risk to human or animal health. It is only in long-lying, untidy faeces that the worm larvae turn into an invasive form.
• How often should faeces be examined? To be on the safe side, stools should be examined every three months. It has been proven that it takes three months from the time an animal is infected with worms until they are able to excrete health-threatening forms. This is why stool testing can predict this risk.
• How do I collect a stool for testing? In the case of a dog, the easiest way to do this will be while walking; in the case of a cat, from the litter tray. A small amount of faeces (approximately 1 gram) is needed for testing. At the reception desk of the KUROSZ Clinic, you will receive a free, sealed faecal collection container containing a spatula. Put two scoops of faeces into the container and you’re done. It is important that the faeces are fresh. However, if it is not possible to deliver the sample immediately, the filled container can be stored for a few hours in a cool place.

NOTE! When taking a sample, care should be taken not to take soil with it, which may also contain parasites.