What are roundworms?
Roundworms are the most common parasite of the digestive tract in dogs and cats. Many puppies are born with roundworms. An infestation can cause a variety of symptoms, which are usually more severe in younger animals.

Where do roundworms come from?
Roundworm eggs are passed in the feces of an infected animal. Animals become infected if they eat something that came in contact with either infected feces or infected soil, or from eating an infected rodent. Kittens and puppies can be infected from their mothers during pregnancy and nursing as the larvae can travel through the placenta or through milk.

Can people or other pets become infected?
People become infected the same way pets do, by ingesting something that is contaminated with roundworm eggs, often from their hands or infected soil. In people, the roundworm larvae can migrate through the tissues to the eyes or other organs and cause potentially serious problems. This is why in it important to have your pet tested and treated on a regular basis.
Other pets living on the same area are likely to be infected and should be treated.

Clinical signs and symptoms
Symptoms of roundworm infestation are diarrhea, vomiting, a pot bellied appearance, dull hair coat, coughing and in some cases, intestinal blockage. Adult animals may have no symptoms.

Diagnosis
Roundworms are diagnosed by fecal flotation examination in which a stool sample is examined under a microscope to detect the eggs. Adult roundworms can sometimes be seen in the stool.

Treatment
There are several deworming products that are effective. These are in pill form and some medications need to be given two times, 10-14 days apart.

Prevention
Roundworm eggs are resistant to environmental conditions and can live in the soil for a long time, so good sanitation alone may not be effective. Some, but not all, heartworm preventatives can control and prevent roundworm infestation. The best way to prevent serious problems with roundworms is by having regular fecal tests done by your veterinarian.
Humans should wash their hands often to prevent infection.