Oh My God!!!!!! I saw one 4-inch roundworm in his stool!!!!!! and a one segment(looks like a grain of rice). I think they are call Tapeworms!!!! He is 5 weeks and 2 days old. Should I take him to a vet to give him the pill! He seems active, a very playful puppy. I was planning to take him to the vet on Friday, which he'll be 6 weeks, and that's what I read here...Please let me know what I should do?!

 Quote: tannya zurita

Oh My God!!!!!! I saw one 4-inch roundworm in his stool!!!!!! and a one segment(looks like a grain of rice). I think they are call Tapeworms!!!! He is 5 weeks and 2 days old. Should I take him to a vet to give him the pill! He seems active, a very playful puppy. I was planning to take him to the vet on Friday, which he'll be 6 weeks, and that's what I read here...Please let me know what I should do?!

Yes, you could call the vet tomorrow and drop off a sample. Have you actually seen tapeworm segments before?

But anyway, I think Panacur treats both. The puppy experts will have more detail, I am sure. :> I don't think you should be upset. I think it's common.

You could take him to the vet or do over-the-counter wormer if you are knowledgeable and comfortable enough to do this. Be careful that if the vet worms him they don't also vaccinate him at the same time. I would do one thing at a time. He's still very young. IMO, too much for a tiny body.

Figures. Just saw Connie's post. Yes, it IS common. Not to worry. Pretty much assume ALL puppies have worms. Panacur is good. Be careful w/dosages.

Edited by Jenni Williams (12/30/2007 04:45 PM)
Edit reason: saw Connie's post

What kind of research should I do, on the right vet for my pup?
What should I look for?

If you want to go holistic, I think Cindy put together a list of recommended vets. I will find it and post it.

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=10&Number=170971&Searchpage=1&Main=12395&Words=vet+list&topic=0&Search=true#Post170971

Edited by Jenni Williams (12/30/2007 04:56 PM)
Edit reason: found it!

 Quote: Jenni Williams

If you want to go holistic, I think Cindy put together a list of recommended vets. I will find it and post it.

Also, I urge you to consult (interview) first, even if there is a charge. A phone interview is fine, IMO. But you would need to make an appointment for it; I mean, I would not expect the vet to be available just because I was on the phone.

You want to know that you and the vet agree on the biggies. For me, the biggies are overvaccination, scare tactics about raw feeding, etc.

You might write down what you care about in advance so you don't forget.

my biggest concern with a vet or any other doctor is there willingness to listen, work coopertaviely and not discount what information or opinions i have on the subject. I expectg them to be willing to explain the why's and what's and sometimes how of each medication, test, and procedure.

I also want an after hours emergency contact of some kind besides the local emergency vet, because the Evet always says bring them in no matter what and its no less than 100 dollars just to get in the door.

My pup pooped out angel hair pasta for 2 days after being wormed, it was disgusting! but he never seemed ill or had any problems afterward. One roundworm is not cause to panic, and unless he has that round distended tummy look he probably isnt too heavily infested.

I called 2 places for De worming my pup!!!! 1 said it was fine to bring him in, the other tells me no he is to young! Then I explain to her if it's best for me then to wait? Will I hurt him if I wait till he's 8 weeks like she said? She seem so busy she couldn't even hear me! She was multitasking from what I heard in the background. I asked her again so i should wait? She ended the conversation with "....do what ever you want OK ?" I ask for her name.
Once again, those anyone no someone who they can refer me too?
I live in San Fernando Valley, City of Woodland Hills, CA.


Edited by tannya zurita (12/31/2007 02:53 PM)
Edit reason: I forgot to say he is 5 weeks, will be 6 weeks on friday.

Most instructions say to wait until the puppies are 6 weeks old but it depends on the condition, I think. I fostered some puppies who were so bad off that they wormed them at 2 weeks with no side affects. how old is your puppy?

Okay, so phone call number 2 is the vet to scratch off your list. If they are too busy to talk to you on the phone, then they are probably too busy or do not care about providing proper care to your pet.

Phone call #1- I would call them back and ask the questions that you were recommended to ask by Connie in an earlier post.

Don't be frustrated. Take a deep breath and keep dialing. Remember to ask about how they feel about raw diet (if that is what you feed or are thinking about feeding, ask them if you can have a tour of the facility when you arrive and also ask if the Vet will be available when you visit to listen and answer any concerns or other questions you have or think of before the appointment.

My vet that I ended up going with is an hour away. For major things I travel 6 hours to Colorado.

This is what I do because they are okay with the raw diet, titers, and care that I want my dogs to have and that I provide at home. They also are willing to teach me emergency procedures in case I am in the middle of nowhere training and something happens.