Roundworms (or ascarids) look like short lengths of spaghetti. They grow to around 100 mm in length, and live in the dog’s gut, feeding off the contents. Given that there may be dozens of them in the gut of an infected animal, it’s not surprising that the dog may be undernourished, with a dull coat, and lacking energy. Other symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss.
Worse still, the most common dog roundworm, Toxocara canis, can also infect people – and children are particularly vulnerable.
