Call your vet
Seeing worms in your dog's poop means an intestinal parasite infection. Roundworms look like spaghetti; tapeworm segments look like grains of rice or sesame seeds and may move. Hookworms and whipworms are usually too small to see.
See a vet now if you notice:
- Black, tarry stool or lots of blood
- Vomiting as well, or not eating
- Lethargy, weakness or pale gums
- A puppy, senior or dog with health problems
- Possible toxin exposure (rat bait, medicines)
Possible causes
- Roundworms: long, white, spaghetti-like worms; very common in puppies
- Tapeworms: flat, rice-like segments around the bottom or in stool; spread by swallowing fleas
- Hookworms and whipworms: usually invisible; detected by a fecal test
What to do
- Collect a fresh sample and call your vet for a fecal test and the right dewormer (not all dewormers kill all worms).
- Treat fleas on all pets if you see tapeworm segments.
- Pick up poop promptly and wash hands: roundworms and hookworms can infect people, especially children.
- Puppies are usually dewormed every 2 weeks from 2 weeks of age, then kept on monthly parasite prevention (CAPC).