My new buddy (choccolate lab) has worms-bad! Help!

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Badfish740

Badfish740

Minister of Fire
Oct 3, 2007
1,539
Some of you may have seen my post yesterday about Hank, our new Chocolate Lab. To make a long story short I got him from a friend who won him at an auction held by local chapter of Ducks Unlimited. I have AKC papers from the breeder and the names of the couple but nothing more, no contact information, etc... Hank is nine weeks old and has only been in our home for three days. He had his first visit to the vet today and weighed in at 13 lbs. In what paperwork the breeder did provide it said that he would need his deworming shot at 10 weeks. We talked to some people and that seemed normal...Until about an hour ago. I took Hank out to relieve himself as normal and I saw what looked like a mass of angel hair pasta coming out of him along with feces. I picked it up with gloves and bagged it and took pictures. I posted a link rather than a picture since it's pretty darn gross.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/Badfish740/worm.jpg

We called the 24 hour emergency vet and explained what happened and that he had his first vet visit today. He was given a de-worming treatment at the vet visit but we're not sure what it was. In any event it seems to be working since what came out was obviously dead, but the person at the 24 hour vet said that the infection is not necessarily gone. He said that since he's otherwise behaving normally, not lethargic, etc...that an emergency visit was not necessary, but that we should refrigerate the stool sample and bring it to the vet tomorrow, which we're doing. I guess I just need reassurance as it was really shocking to see and I can only imagine how much nutrition this thing was sucking out of the poor guy. Also, how worried should I be about the fact that a worm that big came out of him? I'm not sure if its a tapeworm or a roundworm as I can't really distinguish the two. Another single worm just came out as I'm finishing this post (my wife took him out) and it was still moving. As I said before he's behaving normally and will see the vet first thing tomorrow-is he going to be ok?
 
Well, puppies are just like little human babies in that they can't tell us if anything is wrong. If you are a worried parent, and you sound like you are, take him to ER tonight along with the samples you have collected. Keep him safe are as you are his Daddy! (Cute little guy, by the way.)

Our son just got a puppy (a mutt). On his 6th day at our son's home the pup had forceful bloody stool. A quick trip to the ER confirmed Parvo Virus which can be fatal. The puppy was 8 weeks old, due for his Parvo shot at 10 weeks. Puppy ended up a patient, overnight, for 2 nights with IV fluids and antibiotics, etc. Puppy is fine now but vet said it was a close call.

Remember, you're a Daddy now!

Shari
 
I would go with what you were told over the phone, that what you got today is the effect of the de-wormer, and as long as the puppy seems fine, you could hold off on the emergency vet visit. I'm sure an emergency vet would be expensive, so I can understand not wanting to rush there needlessly. But like shari said, if it will let you sleep tonight, go for it.

My kitten is still getting de-wormer with every vet visit, and they ask for a stool sample each time, to see what worms she has. Did you give a stool sample to the vet on this first visit? If so, they will have tested it to see what worms the puppy has.

Let us know what happens!
 
My wife rescued a rottweiller-lab mix pup a few weekends ago and it had roundworm ,gross to say the least like you said a pile of pasta, she has since taken her to the vet and was given a three day treatment to mix with her food and a few days later no more worms. After looking at the photo I can say that looks the same as what our dog had and it was roundworm. If it was me I would watch for any changes in behavior before rushing to the vet as worms are very common in pups and usually cause no lasting effects.
 
My sister breeds dogs. Worms are pretty normal in pups and de-worming is routine when young. Sometimes breeders will do this. Other times it is left to new owners.

I wouldn't spend the money on an ER visit unless puppy begins to act 'sick'. Sounds like you got an honest person when you called the ER. Someone not as honest could have told you to bring him in and charged you a bundle.

Just follow up as suggested and YOU will feel better.

Enjoy and relax. ;-)
 
Yeah, don't worry about it. Worms are part and parcel of the puppy experience. And they're not a big deal. Just do what the vet. tells you and keep your eyes open.

I had horses for years and worms are a seasonal and regular event in them, too. And it's the same thing with our (indoor/outdoor) cats. We occasionally see what look like dried rice grains clinging to the area around their anuses or on their beds. Sometimes there is a "squirmer", too (eewww). And then we call the vet. and pick up the worming pills. Problem solved.

Hank is adorable and I can't wait until you put up some more shots of him.
 
Kind of a normal occurance with puppies and kittens.
Had a cat walking around the yard with a really long tapeworm dangling out once.
The pills do what they're supposed to do. Make them pass.

Probably won't be the last thing he'll pass unles you can get him to only chew the things he's supposed to. :)
 
Just wanted to let everyone know that Hank is doing well and there's no more sign of you-know-what when he goes outside. He'll be getting a second round of de-wormer a week from today. I can already tell that his coat is getting shinier and he's putting on weight! In other news we've mastered "sit," "come" and "down" are still in progress. Here's another pic of the little guy:

Hank006.jpg
 
Badfish, Glad to hear he is fine. If you are not familar with training dogs I would suggest getting a few Ceasar Milan tapes. He has a show on National Geographic. He understands what dogs are looking for in a leader. Great for kids to see how a dog should be treated. Also has great life lessons.
I looked at a contracting job in Neshanic yesterday, that must be close to you.
 
gzecc said:
Badfish, Glad to hear he is fine. If you are not familar with training dogs I would suggest getting a few Ceasar Milan tapes. He has a show on National Geographic. He understands what dogs are looking for in a leader. Great for kids to see how a dog should be treated. Also has great life lessons.
I looked at a contracting job in Neshanic yesterday, that must be close to you.
Click to expand...

I'm actually reading two of his books-one is about puppy raising in general and one is about being a good "pack leader"-really good stuff so far. He's learning quickly but Milan's books make it clear that as fast as they may learn things initially it takes a LOT of reinforcement, so it's baby (or puppy?) steps for now. Neshanic is up my way-nice area.
 
Hank is just darling!

I'd say, "Come!" and "Sit" are a really good start, he's just a baby and his attention span is not going to be terrific for some time yet. It's important to remember that and keep the training short and FUN. You get a lot farther a lot faster with little, short lessons interspersed all day long. Have you tried, "Hank, Watch me!" and gotten him to look directly into your eyes for a couple of seconds yet?

Bet you're glad the Angel Hair Blues are pretty much behind you, lol.

(I like Cesar Milan. Also, Matthew Margolis ("Uncle Mattie"), and a guy named Bashkin Dibra; have used the latter two's techniques extensively with our dog)
 
Wait a minute ! Ya mean those "wait", "sit", "come" commands are for the dog? My Cocker Spaniels always told me I was supposed to do that when they wanted something. Usually it was...."Get up, we're hungry."
Hank's a good looking buddy. Teach him well and keep him safe; he'll always love ya for it.
 
Hank lools awesome, love retrievers, great pets, smart, full of energy and very loyal. Make sure you keep as many chew toys around as you can stand. They'd rather chew on their toys then on your furniture. But if the furniture is all they see, oops.
 
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