Many farms have a wide variety of animals that play essential roles on the property. If you own a farm dog, you'll need to know basic pet care tips to ensure it stays healthy throughout its life. Worms are a condition that can greatly impact an animal's health, and you should know how to recognize the symptoms. Learn more below about signs indicating worms in your dog in the list below.

Common Symptoms in Dogs With Worms

1. Expressed Discomfort

When dogs have worms, they often get itchy. You may notice your pet is constantly trying to gnaw at its bottom or rubbing itself in the dirt. You can check where your dog is scratching for worms, which will look like small, moving grains of white rice. Purchasing wormer can help clear up this infection and keep it from happening again in the future.

2. Enlarged Belly

Dogs with more serious cases of worms will appear to have a distended belly. This is especially common in puppies and is a sign that your animal needs immediate pet care from a veterinarian. You don't want your dog to reach this point because it means the worms have led to a potentially life-threatening condition. 

3. Weight Loss

Contrary to the swollen stomach symptom, if your dog loses a lot of weight, it could be a sign of a worm infestation. An extreme case of worms will steal the nutrition from your pet's meals, causing your dog to become malnourished while the worms thrive. Keep in mind that weight loss can also imply other medical conditions, and if you don't find other signs of worms, this may not be the reason behind it.

If you recognize these signs of worms in your dog or simply want to take precautionary measures, visit Farmers Cooperative in Live Oak, FL. This farming supply store has various pet care products for animal health, including wormers. They also carry other dog products that are vital for keeping your animal healthy, and you can check out more of their stock on their website. Call (386) 362-1459 to speak with a staff member about their products and recommendations.