Dogs can suffer from parasites such as roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm, whipworm, Toxascaris and the fox tapeworm, which require deworming when needed.
Bitches and puppies
A bitch with worms can infect her puppies via the placenta and her milk. All puppies should therefore be dewormed at 2–3 weeks of age. The bitch is dewormed at the same time.
Deworming is then repeated every 2–4 weeks up to 3 months of age, depending on the type of dewormer:
– every two weeks if using a dewormer containing pyrantel (Banminth, Drontal or Welpan).
– every four weeks if using a dewormer containing fenbendazole (Axilur).
Stool sample
Because of increasing resistance to dewormers in all parasites, a stool sample should ideally be taken.
From 4 weeks of age, puppies are tested to determine whether deworming is really needed.
There are special “Kollamasken” test kits for worms (except tapeworm) at some pharmacies. They are used if you can’t see anything yourself but want to be sure whether your dog has worms before deworming.
Roundworm
Some kennels may have problems with hard-to-treat roundworm infections.
The bitch then needs to be dewormed with fenbendazole (Axilur) daily during pregnancy (from day 40) until 2 weeks after whelping.
Adult dogs only need deworming for roundworm:
– if roundworms are seen in faeces or vomit
– after a positive stool sample
– annually for dogs that often eat unsuitable things they find outdoors
Hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm and Toxascaris
Deworming against hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm and Toxascaris is done after a positive stool sample.
Hookworm infection can, however, be very hard to treat. When infection is confirmed, three courses of fenbendazole (Axilur) are given 2 weeks apart. Treatment should be followed up with a stool sample 4 weeks after completing treatment.
Fox tapeworm
Since 1 January 2012, it is no longer a legal requirement for dogs that have been abroad to be dewormed against the fox tapeworm in order to return to Sweden.
However, it is still strongly recommended to deworm dogs that may have been in contact with rodents or raw meat while abroad. This is to prevent the parasite from spreading via animal faeces onto the berries in our forests and the crops in our fields.
When people ingest the parasite, the liver, lungs and/or other organs are affected, where the parasite grows in fluid-filled cysts. The disease is called alveolar echinococcosis.
The disease is insidious because of its very slow progression. It is often discovered too late for successful treatment.
Against fox tapeworm, praziquantel must be used (Droncit, Drontal, Milbemax or Profender spot-on).
Dogs that frequently travel between Sweden and Finland, Denmark or the rest of Europe should be dewormed against fox tapeworm every 28 days.
Dogs travelling to Finland, the UK, Ireland or Malta must be dewormed against fox tapeworm 24–120 hours (1–5 days) before entering these countries.
For other countries, we recommend contacting the veterinary authority in each country you will travel through.
Before travelling
During a home visit for vaccination or another procedure before travelling, I can deworm your dog(s) with over-the-counter Milbemax. An EU pet passport is needed.
If deworming is wanted at the visit, the dog’s weight is needed to give the correct dose.
The over-the-counter medicine is collected by the owner so that it is available at home before the visit (i.e. it is not a medicine I keep in stock).
More information is available from the Swedish Board of Agriculture (SJV).
Request a quote via the contact form, stating under “Message” that you would like deworming, together with a valid Swedish personal identity number.
