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Post by whiterin on Oct 23, 2013 14:26:53 GMT -5
Hi all! Jack's recent adventures have led him to a nice case of roundworm. Just due to the fact that he seems to get worms fairly often (this will be his 3rd round this year), does anyone know of a natural preventative or treatment for worms? I'm just getting a bit frustrated telling the vet that he has them, then having them test the poop for days before admitting that yes, I'm right, he has them, before administering any sort of treatment.
I don't take him to the dog park or let him sniff at dead animals (recent adventures excluded I'm sure) so I'm not completely sure how he keeps getting them but it happens often enough that I'd like to look into it - input anyone?
e.
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laara
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 112
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Post by laara on Oct 23, 2013 18:22:26 GMT -5
Firstly, I am so happy for you that Jack was found safely, I was so worried all weekend and can only imagine what you went through. IMHO Diatomaceous Earth, human food grade, is one of the best natural things you can use in the removal and prevention of worms and fleas in your pets. I have been using it with Slappy for about 2 years now and he has not had any worm problems. I also started giving it to my current Foster as he arrived with a case of hook worms. By necessity Slappy needs natural homeopathic solutions as there hasn't been a medication that he has not reacted adversely to. Everything seems to hit his gut so I am always looking for safer ways to help him. I'm not sure where you are located but I do know that you can buy it from Camp Greyhound's website, if you can't find it locally to you. Best of luck getting rid of the nasty things
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Post by angelollie on Oct 23, 2013 18:39:45 GMT -5
It might be that whatever dewormer your vet is treating Jack with may not be effective any longer ... some of the dewormers that are constantly used at the track are just not ridding the parasites the way the dewormer should be. If your vet gives Jack another dewormer, I would ask him for a different worm medication then what he used before.
Internal parasites can be controlled by giving Diatomaceous Earth internally, just make sure you ask for FOOD GRADE. DE can eliminate roundworms, whipworms, pinworms, and hookworms within seven days of being fed daily but you should continue for 30 straight days in order to not just kill the existing worms but to catch all the newly hatched eggs and the cycling of the worms throughout the body.
DE can also be used for external insects and parasites such as flies, fleas. Because DE is a fine dust, just be careful when you are applying it to bedding, the dog's coat, etc.
You will want to give Jack 1 good sized tablespoon of DE in his food once per day. DE can be purchased at feed stores, i.e. Minor Brothers, maybe TSC stores and Campgreyhound.ca.
Hope this helps ....
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Post by whiterin on Oct 23, 2013 19:55:26 GMT -5
Great thanks guys! Have managed to find it at the local pet store and I'll talk to the vet about switching up his meds.
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Post by angelollie on Oct 23, 2013 21:26:06 GMT -5
By the way, I'm happy that Jack is safely home ... I hope he was okay after his ordeal.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 21:36:01 GMT -5
I agree with the suggestion of DE. I also wanted to say how happy I am that Jack made it home safely
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Post by whiterin on Oct 25, 2013 9:08:55 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Quick question how are you feeding it? Jack keeps sneezing poor guy and it goes everywhere, and if I add water it's so thick he can't lick it out of the dish. Any suggestions?
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keyt
Grey Puppy
Georgia loved her weekend in the snow in the Soo - and meeting her greyhound cousins!
Posts: 34
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Post by keyt on Oct 25, 2013 9:37:26 GMT -5
I have started giving it to Georgia each evening. I stir a tablespoon of DE into about 2 or 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt and she licks it up immediately.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2013 10:14:04 GMT -5
My sentiments on the safe return of your Jack. I use D.E. each and every day. I add it to their morning meal with plenty of water to dilute. It can be purchased in bulk at an incredibly low price, if interested, just pm me for info! Martha
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OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
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Post by OwnedBySummer on Oct 25, 2013 12:15:53 GMT -5
Summer gets canned food for dinner so, whenever I need to give DE (she's on it this month after helping herself to some wild backyard breakfast, so she's on it to prevent worms from the rabbit) I mix a Tbsp. into her dinner (I stir it in really well) and she vacuums it right up.
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Post by campgreyhound on Oct 25, 2013 15:11:33 GMT -5
There are multiple reasons that hooks are difficult to be rid of. 1. They are resistant to Panacur, a favorite of trac ks and vets. 2. The eggs migrate away from the alimentary canal, and in addition they are impossible to kill in this stage. 3. The risk of re-infection is high, because the larvae will live in the ground after coming out of feces, and will enter through the bottom if the feet.
Sometimes if the infection is entrenched, you may have to resort to chemicals, at least initially. Cazitel from Pets-Megastore is generic Drontal Plus, and highly effective for stubborn infections. Feel free to email me if need be. Once the chemical has trounced the infection, the DE will be effective at keeping the hooks at bay.
Hooks are the worst!
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Post by whiterin on Oct 26, 2013 16:34:17 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info guys. I think it's going to be a long ride with these hooks. He's had his first dose of strongid and will get Sentinel in 2 weeks. He has the runs pretty badly. He has been only on rice and pumpkin for the past 2 days at the vet's suggestion but I'm pretty concerned that he won't be getting the nutrients he needs. I've kept up with the DE but I'm wondering if that's what's causing the runs. It's yellow liquid and the rice just goes right through him. His energy levels don't seem affected since he is still playing and happy. Has anyone dealt with similar hookworm issues? I'm worried he's just reinfecting himself when he tries to clean his poor bum!
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Post by angelollie on Oct 26, 2013 18:14:25 GMT -5
Maybe I missed something here ... what type of worm does Jack have at the moment (round or hook)? If he presently has an active parasite problem you might be wise to have your vet treat him with a dewormer (maybe a different med this time) and get him cleared up and his bowels back to normal with normal stools. I would take him off the DE at this point. I would also get him on a probiotic once a day, even a little yogurt, they do work wonders at getting the gut back to normal. He needs to get his bowels settled down before you start the DE up again. DE is a great tool to use in keeping parasites at bay but it may not be all that effective if the dog has an infestation of internal parasites to start with. When the stool is yellow as you described, that usually is an indication that the bacteria in his bowel is way off balance (more bad bacteria then good) ... the probiotic and yogurt should help his bowels return to normal. I would continue the pumpkin and give him a few smaller meals until the stools start to improve. Hope Jack soon gets back to normal ... hugs to Jack.
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Post by whiterin on Oct 27, 2013 0:03:32 GMT -5
Yes sorry we have determined that it is hooks that he has. I'll take him off the De now as he is taking strongid for the worms. I was told DE was effective for killing them as well? I'll ask the vet about drontal plus on monday, I'm hoping his stools clear up a bit by then. He seems to really like the pumpkin, so that's a plus.
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Post by angelollie on Oct 27, 2013 19:08:34 GMT -5
Your vet/technician can usually tell from the stool sample how infested Jack is. Because hook can be stubborn it is wise to have the vet prescribe him an effective wormer. Once Jack is clear of worms, the DE can be used in order to keep Jack's intestines in check and free from worms. Yes, DE does kill parasites but not so much when there is an infestation.
I think out of all the parasites hook worm is the ugliest to clear up. Sometimes the dog has to have a few treatments to eliminate the worms/eggs/larvae. And it is one of the easiest parasites to get .... can be absorbed through the skin of the dog (i.e. soft skin between toes, tummy if dog is laying on infected grass, eating dewy grass as that's where the larvae hides).
So get Jack cleared up with the vet's wormer, have a sample taken to confirm Jack's stool is negative, and then from here on in you can routinely give him a DE treatment which should keep everything in check. And what I've found when starting out with the DE, I give a teaspoonful for the first few days then increase to a tablespoonful... one of my guys always has loose stools when he first starts up with the DE.
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