to worm or not to worm

There are lots of urban foxes, badgers and squirrels where I live so I keep Peggy’s worm and flea treatment up to date even though she rarely goes off lead.

Fleas have never been a problem maybe becauseI I no longer have grass but when I first moved here two years ago she quickly showed signs of worms. They weren’t visible but there were other symptoms I recognised.

Urban wildlife fences is a very likely spreader.

We swore by Panacur too.

I use the one that you put on the back of the neck, no problems. I’ve never seen any evidence that my dog has worms, but she loves searching out the hedgehogs in the garden and I’d rather she didn’t catch their fleas!

Not sure what wormer you have been using but the tablet form made my last BC very ill with severe upset stomach.
My vet then started him on Panacur, sachets that you mix with their food dependant on their weight. I used it every 3 months for the last 5 years of Finns life, he had no more upset stomachs and was much cheaper than the tablets.
Flea treatment was the spot on as l also refused to give him the tablet form of that as well.

thanks for all your replys spoke to a friend who has 3 dogs hers have a spot on liquid back of neck for both flea and worm , he is on flea sot on back of neck already, i might try and see if that works,he is quiet today eaten a bit,but not fully himself yet,,

busybee6969, I use food-grade diatomaceous earth as flea protection (dusted through the coat and in bed) and wormer (a flat teaspoon mixed into wet food) regularly.

It's widely used on farm animals and pretty harmless, but keep away from eyes and airways. The worst it could do is to temporarily irritate the eyes or lungs if enough gets airborne.

I use it for all my pets - as I won't have harmful chemicals (especially organophosphates) in my house - or anywhere near my grandchildren!

You could do a worm count test instead to see if he actually needs wormed. Very easy to do - you send it off and get the results back fairly quickly.

I would stop worming the dog unless or until you actually see evidence of worms in his faeces or unless he has picked up a tick, as they are said to carry the infection.

In that case busybee your vets are guilty of negligence or unprofessional conduct and you should change to another vet practice ASAP

Can your dog use the drops that go on the back of the neck?

they are prescribed by my vet tried 2 different ones so far,on a plan a month to cover flea/worm and yearly vacination,checked price of last wormer pill it only cost £2 for the 3 month cover so think they are giving me cheap ones, last time i spoke to vet she said try puppy strengh ones next time as he is so small and suffers with him tummy, but when it came to get themthe argued oh no try this one first cheap one that made him ill again with his tummy again,so think they are trying to keep costs down, but not fair on my little dog or my poor carpets ,

Dogs can pick up fleas from long grass, undergrowth, bushes etc even in the garden and show me a dog who has never ever ingested something it shouldn’t- so not defleaing or worming is tantamount to neglect.
Do you buy the products over the counter OP or they prescribed by the vet? The former can be risky and may actually be causing the upset tums, but if the flea and worm products are prescribed, tell the vet and they will try something else.

Ours is every 3 months. She’s off lead a lot an mixes with other dogs we meet when out and about. Luckily the tablets don’t affect her. Flea and especially tick medication is advised because of the woods and fields where she runs. I’ve done a tick count but never a worm count🤮

Very rarely do i deflea or worm my dogs. Some folk do it every month but why? My vet told me unless i see fleas or flea dirt dont worry. Did you know you can do a worm count?

I agree with Casdon. If your’s is a pampered pooch, walked on a lead around the streets, I probably wouldn’t bother either, especially given the problems it brings for both of you. Watch out for signs of worms though if you don’t treat, then act.
I treat DD2’s little dog for both worms and fleas although at home, he never goes ‘off piste’.

I think it depends if your dog is ever off lead or is prone to eat anything they pick up while you’re out with them. Mine is a devil for eating any random thing he sees, he will also catch birds, rodents or anything else he can. I have to worm him therefore.