How Much Does Deworming a Dog Cost?

Deworming a dog is a procedure that involves the removal of parasitic worms that live inside your dog.  This is one of the most common problems encountered.

These worms feed on the nutrients that your dog is supposed to be getting, which in turn makes them sick.  There are different types of worms that can live inside your dog, and depending on the condition, the deworming procedure can be different.  One of the most common ways to deworm a dog is by the use of medicine.  The cost of deworming a dog will depend upon the type of procedure, the veterinarian working with the dog and geographical location.

“Dog” (CC BY 2.0) by rarvesen

How much is it?

• Medicine can range anywhere from an 8-in-1 dewormer that controls and removes different types of worms, to a canine dewormer for small dogs.  On average, the price for medicine can range anywhere from $8 to $55.  Prescribed medicine is generally going to cost more than an over the counter (OTC) medicine.  Refer to our table below to see what most popular brands will cost.
• At a low-cost clinic that offers the vaccine and deworming package together, for example, may cost $15 to $45.  This price wouldn’t include the office examination.  For example, PetVax Complete Care Centers charge $10.81 and up, depending on the weight.  Again, this won’t include the office examination fees, but if you were to factor these fees in, it would be safe to say the costs would be close to $60 or so.

What is going to be included?

• Deworming medication is taken orally either by a liquid or in a solid pill form.  The dewormer being used will all depend on the type of parasite present, the age, size as well as the current health of your dog.  The most common type of worm medication for puppies will contain Pyrantel, while adult dogs will contain Panacur C.
• The worming schedule will all depend on your dog’s age and the type of worms your dog has.  Typically, puppies younger than three weeks old will need about two or three treatments to eliminate roundworms and hookworms.  Adult dogs will usually be wormed if parasites are found during a routine fecal exam.  Some dog owners simply administer the drug monthly to help prevent these worms.   Vets won’t deworm a pregnant dog until she delivers since all puppies will be born with worms, regardless of how often the adult is wormed.

What are the extra costs?

• Before you can give a dewormer to your dog, you need to remember that they may have different reactions to different types of medicines administered to them.  It would be best to consult a veterinarian to get a diagnosis of the situation before purchasing an over the counter medication.  An examination fee alone can vary anywhere from $40 to as much as $100 or more depending on the location.
• Some medication will require more than one dosage since the size of the dog can determine the dosage that the dog needs to take.

Tips to know

• While worms are often found in puppies, it doesn’t mean they won’t show up in adult dogs as well.  Common symptoms to look out for include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, a swollen stomach, or anemia.  These signs may mean your dog has worms, but it won’t be 100 percent certain.  If you ever experience any of these symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately to receive a proper diagnosis.

Types of worms found in dogs

• Coccidia:  These are intestinal parasites that will overgrow in younger puppies, often from a pet store or some sort of pet boarding facility.  Symptoms include diarrhea with blood and is rarely seen in adult dogs due to immunity.
• Hookworms:  These smaller, thin worms will attach to the small intestines and suck the blood, oftentimes, killing the puppy if not taken care of.  In older dogs, symptoms may include low stamina, a decreased appetite, diarrhea or even weight loss.
• Roundworms:  A good portion of puppies born will have roundworms in their tissue.  These larvae will be introduced to the puppy as it begins to either drink its mom’s milk or through the uterus before it was born.  These roundworms can cause vomiting, weight loss or diarrhea.
• Tapeworms:  This is another type of worm commonly seen in dogs.  Typically infecting dogs that ingest fleas, tapeworms won’t show many symptoms and will need to be diagnosed by finding segments in the stool.
• Whipworms:  These are thread-like worms that typically live in the large intestines of dogs, feeding off the blood.  If present, dogs may have bloody stool, a small appetite or weight loss.  Like tapeworms, whipworms will be hard to diagnose and will be found during a fecal exam.

Top selling dog dewormers on Amazon

How can I save money?

• Name brand medication is going to cost more than the off brand, so be sure to talk with your vet to see if they can prescribe off brand medication to help offset the costs.
• Most of the time, a deworming session will be done alongside a vaccination such as a puppy’s distemper.  Combining these procedures can often bring the costs down.
• If purchasing from a name-brand retailer, see if any coupons exist to help you save a certain percentage off.  These coupons can be found online via a search or on the company’s official website.

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