Roundworms in Dogs

Puppies can get roundworm from their mothers, even from drinking their mother's milk. Other animals including chickens and rodents can harbor roundworms too, and pass them on to dogs.

Roundworms can be fatal in young puppies, and they can harm older puppies and young dogs if left untreated. They are easily treated, but the treatments need to continue for several weeks. Many pet health care plans cover the treatment and diagnosis of roundworms in dogs because people can also carry the parasites, and infected dogs can infect people.

Puppies should be dewormed shortly after they are born (two to three weeks), and mothers should be dewormed before they give birth. Dogs can become susceptible to roundworms, so periodic treatments may be necessary. Check with your pet health plan company to see if they limit the number of roundworm treatments per year.

Ringworms in Dogs

Ringworms is a skin disease caused by a fungus. Vets sometimes treat them with topical treatments, or with tablets. Both can cure the disease quickly and effectively. People can get ringworms too, and dogs and cats can infect each other.

Be aware that some pet health plans do not cover preventative care for parasites and ringworm. Double check that your pet health plan covers ringworm and parasites. Some companies offer this coverage in a "wellness package" add-on.

It may take up to two weeks for the treatment to begin to eradicate this skin disease, so be patient with treatment and don't look for overnight results.

Tapeworms in Cats

Tapeworms are carried by fleas and are of the most common worms found in cats. Cats are infected with tapeworms by swallowing a flea during grooming. Kittens can also be born with tapeworms. Once one cat is infected and the tapeworms multiply, all the cats in the household can become infected.

Tapeworms can cause a variety of symptoms in young cats, from diarrhea to lack of energy. In older cats, the symptoms can be more difficult to spot. If your cat has fleas, you should have your doctor test for tapeworms, and you should eliminate the fleas.

Most pet health plans offer treatment for tapeworms in cats as part of their preventative treatment coverage. The medication to treat and eliminate tapeworms is very expensive and it may not be covered by some basic pet health plans. If you're unsure, check with your pet health plan to see if worming treatments are covered for your cat.

Ringworms in Dogs

Ringworm isn't really a worm at all, it's actually a fungus. All animals can get ringworms, including humans. Dogs can get the fungus through open wounds or scratches. The condition shows up as broken or missing areas of hair surrounded by a dark ring or oval. The disease usually occur in young dogs and puppies.

Ringworm can be easily treated, and since it is spread by fungus, the home needs to be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed to remove the spores. Most pet health plans cover routine treatment for ringworm, and dog-deworming to prevent parasites, too.

Since dogs can carry the disease without any outward signs, if one dog catches ringworm, it's best to have all your pets tested. Pet health plans should cover the cost of this multiple testing, too.

Don't Forget About Heartworms!

Heartworms have become much more prevalent in pets around the country, and can occur in dogs and cats, and are parasitic worms that can lead to heart failure in your pet.

Many pet health plans cover the cost of heartworm medications, visits to diagnose the condition, and treatments. Some pet health plans offer this coverage as part of their policy, while others offer it as an add-on at an extra cost. Usually, these add-ons will cover other health care check-ups and vaccinations, too.

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, and since those pesky bugs are often found inside the house, even indoor pets can be infected. Many vets recommend using heartworm medication during mosquito season as a preventative, so check with your pet health plan to make sure they cover the medications for prevention, too.

Preventing Worms in Dogs

Intestinal parasites like worms can be treated and prevented by using medications commonly available at most vets. Many vets recommend keeping pets on Heartgard, a heartworm preventative, year-round to keep worms at bay. This is because worms can live just about anywhere, and you can't see them.

Most pet health plans understand that worms can lead to a host of other health problems for dogs and cats, and so they cover the cost of prevention and treatment. In fact, heartworms can be fatal if left untreated. Often, treatment is as simple as giving medication to the pet for several days to eradicate the worms.

Since puppies and kittens can be born with worms, it's a good idea to have all your pets tested periodically. Most pet health plans cover the cost of this preventative, too.

Worms and Your Cat

Outdoor cats can be more susceptible to tapeworms and other parasites, as well as a host of other health issues. That's why many pet health plans offer discounts to cat owners who keep their pets indoors.

However, indoor cats can catch worms too, and some types of worms can be very dangerous if they aren't treated. Heartworms are extremely hazardous, and very common in cats. These worms live inside the heart, are very difficult to eradicate, and can lead to heart failure.

The best way to treat cat worms is to give a preventative treatment, such as Heartgard, throughout the year. Some worms are eradicated with just a few treatments, while others are more stubborn. Pet health care companies recognize the danger and expense of treating worms in cats, and that's why they offer coverage to treat these health issues.

Symptoms of Worms in Dogs

Unfortunately, it can be very tricky to spot worm symptoms in dogs. Some dogs will scoot their behinds along the ground to ease itching, and this can be a sign of certain worms, like tapeworms.

Most worms however, must be diagnosed under a microscope by a vet. If worms are found, the dog will need treatment for the worms to keep them from spreading. Some can spread to humans, and most can spread to other dogs and cats.

Check with your pet health plan to see what types of diagnosis they require or will pay for before you take your pet in for a diagnosis. Some pet health plans consider worm prevention to be the owner's responsibility, and do not cover it in their health plans.

Dog Tapeworms

Tapeworms are common in dogs, but can go unnoticed by your veterenarian in routine exams. Unfortunately, it's usually pet owners who spot the worms on the outside of their dog's body – and they can be quite disturbing to see.

Tapeworms are easily treated, and most pet health plans cover treatment and prevention of these worms. Treatment is very expensive, so getting a pet health plan early in a dog's life can help defray the costs of worming, if it's necessary.

If the fleas that cause tapeworms aren't removed from the home as well, then a dog can get reinfected very quickly. Pet health plans cover flea treatments and medications, too, which will help defray the costs of eradicating fleas from the area.