There are so many kinds of worms that can infect your dog and finding out you have an infected pet can send you into a panic.
You may even wonder whether you should quarantine your furry friend to stop other animals or even yourself getting worms from your dog.
The answer to whether you should quarantine a dog with worms is, it depends on the type of parasite or worm your canine is infected with. Normally, when dealing with intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, your dog won’t have to be quarantined as these don’t spread with contact (though dogs licking can spread roundworm eggs), but rather, from contaminated soil or feces.
If your dog has heartworms on the other hand, this can be a lot more serious and quarantine is highly recommended. This isn’t because they are contagious, but because recovery from them must be done in a low-activity and calm environment to prevent your dog damaging itself.
We have compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions that might help answer any queries about your dog with worms, deworming and how best you can give it care.
Do I Need to Quarantine My Dog with Worms?
Being the parent of a sick dog is one of the worst nightmares of any pet parent.
The answer to this question depends on what kinds of parasites have infected your dog.
In general, intestinal worms are non-contagious and easily treated with medication.
These include hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms, which do not get directly transmitted from one body to another, so your dog does not need to be quarantined.
However, for the best safety measures, if you have little children or babies and older adults at home, it is better to keep these infected dogs away since they have weak immune systems and they may struggle to stop the dog licking them.
On the other hand, heartworms are very deadly, so you should keep your dog in quarantine and treat them as soon as possible with medical help.
Will Quarantining the Dog Help Get Rid of Worms?
No. Simply quarantining the dog isn’t enough to eliminate its worm infection.
Although keeping your dog in quarantine might help contain the situation from spreading to other pets, it will not eliminate the disease.
You need to give the dog proper care and medication, usually in the form of a deworming procedure, so the parasites die off.
It should be noted that there are different kinds of drugs and treatments for dogs infected by different kinds of worms, so one type of treatment alone will not help get rid of every worm type in infected animals.
Your veterinarian will be able to advise on what medicine is needed.
Should I (Humans) Be Worried About Getting Worms from My Dog in Quarantine?
Most worms that affect dogs are not contagious to humans, so you don’t have to worry about contracting the disease.
However, a few types of worms can infect the human body through dogs.
For example, roundworms are a common infection that can be passed from a dog to a human. These worms typically live on moisture-rich surfaces like soil.
So when your dog excretes and you happen to get in contact with these worms, they can enter your body and affect your system.
It is a high cause of concern for little children because they tend to play on the ground and, as a result, might get in contact with the worms.
Dogs licking you can also transfer any eggs to you that they’ve picked up from dog feces.
How Long Does My Dog with Worms Have to Stay in Quarantine?
This can depend on what kind of worm infection the dog has and what type of treatment the dog is currently receiving from their vet.
If your dog was in good health before the infestation, it probably wouldn’t take long for the treatment to be effective for the dog.
Whereas, if your dog was already in a compromised position or had health conditions, the treatment might take longer; hence, the quarantine period will also last longer.
Typically, for non-deadly worms, a de-worming treatment will take 6 to 8 hours for most parasites in their system to die off.
Additionally, if you maintain proper care and hygiene for your dog, their recovery period will be shorter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quarantining My Dog With Worms
These are some of the most commonly asked questions we found online relating to the topic of “should i quarantine my dog with worms”.
We answer your questions below:
Can My Dog Be Around Other Dogs or Animals with Worms?
Some types of worms are non-contagious, so it is not a problem for other pets to be around an infected dog.
For example, tapeworms need an intermediary host to transmit the infection to another body; hence, it is not directly transferred to another dog.
However, more deadly intestinal parasites like heartworm or roundworms (not deadly) can be contagious for pets and humans.
These parasites are released onto surfaces like soil and dirt, which, when they come in contact with a human or another dog, can get tranmitted easily.
Do I Need to Disinfect My House if My Dog Has Worms?
Yes. It is a good idea to disinfect your house if you find out that your dog has worms.
Some dog worms can be highly contagious to other pets and humans, so it is best to maintain good hygiene and sanitize the whole house.
This can help eliminate any live worms or their eggs which might have made a home in your carpets, floors, sheets or anywhere the infected dog has been.
How Long Can Dog Worms Live Outside the Body?
Typically, parasites cannot live outside the host body for long durations.
At most, they survive for a few weeks and then eventually die off. Some intestinal parasites like the roundworm die almost immediately.
If you give your dog proper de-worming medication, then the parasites they excrete are already dead, so that they won’t be a threat for subsequent infection.
However, to be safe, it is best to constantly clean the house and surrounding areas to eliminate any residue or make the area inhospitable for these worms and their larvae to live in.
Clean up any wild animals feces you come across in your yard too which are breeding grounds for parasites to lay eggs.
Summary
The general rule of thumb is: intestinal parasites = no quarantine necessary, but heartworms = quarantine.
While dogs getting worms is as common as humans catching a cold, it is always a good idea to watch for specific symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss and ensure your dog receives the treatment they need.
As you start the quarantine, you must make sure that you call a veterinarian or consult a professional on how to best treat the dog for worms.
You should note that this is only applicable for less harmful worms like an intestinal parasite (roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms) which are not deadly.
However, some worms can infect your dog which may be fatal if left untreated. Heartworms are a prime example of this.
Hence, if you have more than one pet at home, and only one is infected with this worm, it is best to quarantine them so that the other pets do not get infected.
Not to mention, they must not be active as they recover from this dangerous parasite.
If you have little children in the house or older adults, you may want your dog quarantined because their immune systems are much more at risk from infective larvae.
Also Read:
