Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms all belong to the same family of parasitic nematodes, a type of worm that latches on to the small intestine, laying microscopic eggs in the feces.  The only way to properly diagnose a dog or cat for these types parasites is to do a “fecal test” and submit a small sample of your pet’s feces to a veterinarian for testing. 

Keep in mind, though, that some parasites lay eggs in cycles and regular fecal tests may not detect all of the parasites in your dog.  For this reason, the Center for Disease Control recommends annual dewormers for adult dogs and a cycle of dewormers every two to three weeks in puppies and kittens. 

You may never see adult parasites in your animal’s feces, but your pet may still display symptoms of worms.  Puppies often have worms and may have a distended abdomen, or pot-bellied appearance as a result.  Adult dogs with infestations of intestinal parasites may have vomiting, diarrhea, or increased appetite with extreme weight loss.  Some animals may be lethargic and show symptoms of illness as well. 

If left untreated, worms can cause severe diarrhea and even death in some animals, especially puppies and kittens.  Roundworms, Hookworms and Whipworms all live in the environment and your pet can contract these parasites when he or she goes outside.  You and your family can also be at risk if feces is not regularly removed from the environment. 

Continue to the next page for more information on each specific parasite