Discovering maggots in your dog's poop can be a distressing and unpleasant experience for any pet owner. While it may be unsettling to witness, it's essential to address this issue promptly to ensure your dog's health and well-being. Maggots in dog poop can indicate an underlying problem that requires attention.
In this blog post, we will explore the causes behind maggots infesting dog feces, discuss preventive measures to keep your dog protected and provide insights into the treatment options available. By understanding the factors contributing to this issue and taking appropriate action, you can help your furry friend stay healthy and prevent future occurrences.
What Are Maggots in Dog Poop?
Maggots in dog poop are the larvae of flies that have laid eggs on the feces. While maggots may seem gross and unsanitary, they actually play an important role in the natural process of decomposing organic matter.
However, if you notice maggots in your dog's poop, it may be a sign of underlying health issues such as diarrhea or a wound that is not healing properly. It's important to consult with your veterinarian if you notice maggots in your dog's poop.
Am I Seeing Worms or Maggots in Dog Poop?
Without wanting to delve too deeply into your dog’s poop, it can be tricky to tell what type of creepy crawlies are wriggling around in the feces.
Here are the most likely parasites to be causing problems:
Internal parasites
The four main intestinal worms found in dogs are hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. It is possible for your dog to be infected with parasites and not see any in their bowel movements, as usually only the tiny eggs will be passed. Adult worms will usually only be seen in the poop if the worm burden is very high.
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Hookworms – these are thin, tiny worms with a hooked mouthpart at one end.
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Whipworms – these look like thin pieces of thread, slightly larger at one end than the other.
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Roundworms – white or tan-colored, very long worms, which can look like spaghetti.
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Tapeworms – the adults aren’t found in the feces, but you may see their egg sacs, which look like grains of rice and can be in the poop itself or stuck around your dog’s back end.
Environmental parasites
If you don’t clear up your dog’s poop immediately, it can quickly become colonized by small beasties living in the ground outside.
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Maggots – these are fly larvae and are small and very active.
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Earthworms - these are medium worms that are brown or pink in color.
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Red worms – these are small, red, and wriggly.
How Did My Dog Get Worms?
Roundworms can be passed to young puppies through their mother’s milk, or even through the placenta. They are also found in the feces of infected animals - a high level of eggs is common.
Fleas commonly spread tapeworms and so if your dog grooms and ingests a flea, they might develop tapeworms. These parasites can also be passed on to your dog if they eat an animal that was infected with tapeworm.
Are Worms in Dog Poop a Problem?
The level of harm to your dog’s health if they have worms, depends on their age, size, and general health, as well as the type and number of worms. Some internal parasites can cause problems not only in the stomach and intestines but also in the heart, lungs, and other essential organs.
Seeing signs of worms in dog poop imply a heavy burden of worms internally, which can cause multiple symptoms. These include:
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Diarrhea, which may contain blood or mucus
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Bloated tummy
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Weight loss and poor condition
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Poor appetite, or voracious appetite
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Poor growth in puppies
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Tummy pain
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite or thirst?
2. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s elimination patterns (pottying habits)?
3. Has your pet vomited more than once in 24 hours?
4. Is there a change in your pet’s breathing?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet drooling more than usual?
8. Are there changes to your pet’s eyes?
9. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
10. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
11. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
12. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
13. Does your pet have a cough?
14. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
15. Have you noticed a new bump or growth on your pet?
16. Has your pet eaten something that could be toxic or a foreign object?
17. Has your pet experienced a seizure?
18. Is your pet having a hard time moving around?
19. Does your pet have a distended (bloated belly)?
20. Does your pet have a wound or injury?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite or thirst?
2. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s elimination patterns (pottying habits)?
3. Has your pet vomited more than once in 24 hours?
4. Is there a change in your pet’s breathing?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet drooling more than usual?
8. Are there changes to your pet’s eyes?
9. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
10. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
11. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
12. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
13. Does your pet have a cough?
14. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
15. Have you noticed a new bump or growth on your pet?
16. Has your pet eaten something that could be toxic or a foreign object?
17. Has your pet experienced a seizure?
18. Is your pet having a hard time moving around?
19. Does your pet have a distended (bloated belly)?
20. Does your pet have a wound or injury?
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How about maggots in dog poop? Do you need to be concerned? Don’t worry – maggots in dog poop only occur after your dog has passed feces, and can be found in perfectly healthy dogs. It just means that the feces have been lying on the ground for a little while – although maggots can appear very quickly! However, it is worth noting that if you spot any maggots around your dog’s back end, or on any wounds - in which case you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
Can People Catch Worms from Dogs?
Some intestinal worms in dogs are transmissible to humans and can cause severe disease. Roundworms can be a particular concern, as roundworm eggs, if ingested, can migrate all over the body, including to the liver, eyes, and brain. Children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are more at risk. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has more information on the risks of pet parasite transmission to owners.
What Do I Do if I See Signs of Worms in Dog Poop?
If you spot worms in dog poop, it’s a clear sign that your dog requires worming treatment. The best thing to do is to schedule a check-up with your veterinarian who can dispense anti-parasite medication. These drugs come in many different forms, including tablets, liquids, topical applications, and injections. After treatment, you may see dead worms in the dog poop, as they pass out of the body – this is common and nothing to worry about.
If your dog becomes ill from a worm infection, showing signs such as an upset tummy, it may need some additional support. This might include a highly digestible diet for a few days until the gut recovers.
If you see maggots in dog poop, there is no need to worry. You might just want to think about picking up your dog’s poop more frequently.
Can You Prevent Worms?
Yes, it is recommended to use regular treatments to prevent worms, as they are so common in the environment and can cause significant illness. Your veterinarian can test your dog’s stool regularly to check for signs of worm eggs that may need treatment. If you are unsure about what you need to be doing in regard to parasite prevention, a virtual vet visit may be a good place to start to discuss your pet’s needs.
Summary
In conclusion, discovering maggots in your dog's poop can be alarming, but it's important to address the underlying issues promptly. By understanding the causes and taking appropriate action, you can ensure your dog's health and prevent future occurrences
If you have concerns about your dog's health or need advice on parasite prevention, it's always best to consult with a veterinarian. BetterVet offers virtual vet visits, providing convenient access to professional guidance. Take proactive steps to keep your furry friend healthy and reach out to BetterVet for a consultation today.
