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Posted in Carpet Beetle Larvae Dog Worms Grub Worms

Segmented, Brown Worm on Dog Toy is a Beetle Larva

“I found this grub/worm on a packaged stuffed dog toy I ordered online”, writes Sarah in her submission regarding the segmented, brown, worm-like creature pictured below. “It was stuck to the fabric on a white patch that looked a bit like egg sac remnants? There was only one that I could find. What is it?” Now, what caught us off guard about this creature at first were the six appendages sticking out from one end of the creature’s body. It took us a moment to realize that the critter was upside down, and that these were its prolegs! Once we gathered that, we figured it must be some type of beetle larva, as the body shape, segmentation, and presence of prolegs point to this conclusion.

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Posted in Dog Worms Heart Worms Parasite Worms

Worms in Dogs

Worms in dogs are commonly found in the intestinal tract and sometimes in the heart. Professional treatment and owner prevention are critical to the well-being of your canine companion.

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Posted in Cat Worms Dog Worms Heart Worms

Heart Worms

Heart worms affect dogs, cats, coyotes, wolves, and other wild animals. The heart worm was first found in dogs over a century ago. Heart worm disease is often found within 150 miles the gulf and Atlantic coasts.

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Posted in Cat Worms Dog Worms Hook Worms Parasite Worms

Hook Worms

Hook worms can not only invade your family pet, but can also infect people. Hook worms infect both pets and people in the same way, by penetrating the skin.

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Posted in Cat Worms Dog Worms Hook Worms Parasite Worms

Hook Worms – A Global Problem

Hook worms can be be transmitted by contaminated soil or feces. Currently it is believed that as many as one-fifth of the world’s population is infected with hook worms.

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Posted in Cat Worms Dog Worms Parasite Worms Round Worms Worms in Humans

Roundworm (Round Worms, Round Worm)

Roundworm, commonly called “round worms” or “round worm” is one of the most common worms to infect pets. But round worms can infect humans, too.

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Posted in Cat Worms Dog Worms Parasite Worms Tapeworm

The Tapeworm

Tapeworm can infect any mammal, including humans. Fortunately it is not usually serious, and is readily treated.

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Posted in Cat Worms Dog Worms Parasite Worms

Clear Worms with Black Insides are Flea Larvae

“What are these clear worm things with black insides?” asks Robyn in her submission regarding the organism pictured below. “They were in the bathtub after giving my dog a bath. HELP!” Although the photo is quite blurry, we think that — given what we can see, Robyn’s description of the creature, and the context in which it was found — Robyn found flea larvae. Now, we realize that saying this could be cause for panic, given that fleas do infest dogs, and it is not the nicest thing to hear that this could be a possibility. What we will say is that flea larvae do not have the same diet as their adult counterparts, meaning that while the adult flea attaches itself to the outside of animals like dogs to suck their blood, the larvae do not do this.

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Posted in Dog Worms Worms Facts Worms Generally

White Object in Dog’s Bowl Could be a Larva

“I am from Ohio and have seen this near the dog’s bowl am not sure if it is a worm or just mucus”, writes Santos regarding the white, worm-like object pictured below. “This is the only one I have seen. Thanks.” We are with Santos on this one: we are not sure if this is a worm either. It has qualities that remind of us worm-like organisms we have seen before, including a darker, circular bit that looks like a head, somewhere around the middle of the body. Obviously, that’s not where heads go on an animal, so this had us thinking this might be two worms rather than one, if it is a worm at all. In any case, it definitely looks suspicious for mucus, so we understand why Santos is concerned.

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Posted in Dog Worms Parasite Worms Worms Facts

Segmented, Translucent, White Worm on Bed is a Flea Larva

“My sister found a small white worm on her bed”, writes this reader in his submission regarding the segmented, clear, worm-like critter pictured below. “What is it?” Based on the photo alone, it is hard to pinpoint one single species of worm-like creature. There are actually quite a worm-like critters that look like this that people have found in their homes in the past, including fungus gnat larvae (which eats decomposing organic materials in mulch) and lilac ash borer larvae (a pest which eats and through the wood in one’s home). However, the location in which this one was found tells us that this is probably a flea larva.

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Posted in Caterpillars Dog Worms Worms Found in the House

Black Worms All Over Bed Could be Insect Larvae

“Please help!” exclaims this reader regarding the black worm-like creature pictured below. “Found these things all on our bed when we got home from a two week vacation. Mind you, we have three dogs. So, the house is a constant battle for fur. I have no clue what it is as I’ve never had a problem like this before.” Now, if it was not for the picture, we would have identified these as flea larvae or clothes moth larvae, just based on the context. That would have made sense given the fact that our reader has a dog and they were found on a bed (as both creatures will eat loose fur and hair, and other materials found on a bed).

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Posted in Dog Worms Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida

Pink Worms on Dog Blanket are Earthworms

“What kind of worms are these?” asks this reader in her submission regarding the pink worms pictured below. “They are less than an inch long, and there were quite a bit of them. We are from Louisiana. We found them on our dog’s blanket outside which had been in the mud.” We must say that the photo is unfortunately quite blurry, meaning that when we zoomed in to get a better look at the worms, it got even blurrier. Since we can’t make out the finer details of the worms’ bodies, we can just go off their general shape and coloration.

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Posted in Dog Worms Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida

Pinkish Brown Worm in Chihuahua’s Water Bowl Could be Earthworm, but a Visit to the Vet is Advised

Pinkish, brown worms were found in Olivia’s dog’s water bowl, and she asks us to identify them, and answer the question of whether or not it could possibly be a parasite. She found two such worms, on two different occasions, and has provided excellent photos of them both. The latest one she found only recently; “This morning I refilled the water bowl for my dog. He’s a 15 year old chihuahua, and he loves to lick the floor looking for scraps of food. After a while he went to the water bowl and drank some water, and when he was done I found this worm looking thing in the bottom of the bowl. It wasn’t moving, but it couldn’t have been there for long since I had just changed the water. This is the second time I’ve found one of these in his water bowl, and the last time was 1-2 months ago. Do you know if it’s parasitic? Is it coming from my dog? Where is it coming from and why? We are located in Sweden. Thank you so much for helping, and have a great day!”

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Posted in Carpet Beetle Larvae Dog Worms Worms Found in the House

Tiny Striped Worms on Dog Bed are Carpet Beetle Larvae

“I found this tiny worm on my main floor hardwood last night”, writes Sally about the brown, striped critter pictured below. “My main floor is entirely hardwood, but it was at the base of my stairs and my second floor is all pretty old carpet. We have two dogs. Earlier this year, I found one of these in the dogs’ toy bin, and a couple underneath a plush dog bed, which I immediately disposed of. Can you please provide your best guess as to what it is? I’m located in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Thank you in advance. From a worm newbie.”

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Posted in Dog Worms Inch Worms Parasite Worms

Worms Found While Dog Sitting Could be Inchworms, but Parasite-related Concerns are Raised

“Could you possibly help identify this worm/larvae?” asks Gabby in her submission regarding the minuscule, darkly-colored creature pictured below. “I read an article which seems like something similar to what I experienced, but you were unable to identify the worm in that article with the information given. I’m dog sitting this weekend and therefore spending a bit more time in the backyard/ back porch which is cement and siding with a wooden table, and the dogs are on the couches and rugs inside. A day after the dogs arrived we started feeling like something was on us. We even thought we felt a bite once or twice (to be fair we have not seen any actual bites, only felt like something was on us and bit us). At first we thought it was fleas but we never saw any fleas on us or the dogs or the furniture. I finally saw this shortly after coming in from taking them on a potty break. I actually found two of them on my arm and one on the end of a strand of hair. I have not found any more of these on myself, blankets, furniture, or the dogs. My original thought was a baby tapeworm? But I haven’t seen any more in the house or on the animals so I started thinking maybe it was something outside that I carried in. Could you please help? I’m worried about my family and my mothers “other children”: her dogs. Thank you. PS: I apologize my camera has lines in it. It’s the best I could do.”

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Posted in Dog Worms Interesting Bugs Worms Generally

Yellow Creatures on Dog’s Quilt Could be Pupae

“I found these on my dog’s quilt”, writes Mary about the yellow creature pictured below. “They are very tiny, less than a quarter inch. It was the bright colour I noticed and I zoomed in with my camera. I’m in Ireland.” Now, Mary sends in a plethora of photos, which is always very helpful, and they all show us different things. Three of them depict this bright yellow creature: the first (below) shows us more details about its coloration (the darker spots amidst the bright color), the second shows us that the critter is enveloped in a stringy matter, or perhaps that the stringy matter is appendages growing from its body, and the third shows us the creature on top of a ten cent Euro coin, giving us a size comparison to show us how small it really is. Oddly though, Mary sends a fourth picture of what looks like a ball of tangled hair.

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Posted in Dog Worms Worms Facts Worms Generally

Brown Worm Causes Concern About Pet Parasites

“Does this look like a dog or cat parasite?” asks Lee about the oddly-shaped, brown, worm-like creature pictured below. “I found it on my bedroom rug. It’s about a 1/4-inch long and is unaffected by touch or heat.” Now, we have to say right off the bat that we will not be able to confirm or deny if this is a cat or dog parasite. The reason for this is because whenever parasites are involved, or even suspected of being involved, the situation becomes medical in nature. Since we are not medical professionals, we are not qualified or legally able to identify parasites, given the health risks they pose. Doing so would be tantamount to providing a diagnosis, which only a medical professional, in this case a vet, would be qualified to do.

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Posted in Dog Worms Worms Facts Worms Generally

Tiny, Six-legged Worm Near Dog Poop Might be a Beetle Larva

“I found this worm, see attached image, when cleaning up a mess my dog made, poop,” writes Brandon in his submission regarding the teeny tiny worm-like critter pictured below. “It was mostly liquid and I’m not sure if it was in my dog’s faeces or if it was just nearby. I do not know what kind of worm or larva this is. Description: translucent, dark spots on both ends. About three sets of legs located near its head.” Based on Brandon’s description of the creature, as well as what we saw when we zoomed in on it, we think he has found himself a beetle larva.

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Posted in Dog Worms Worms Facts Worms Generally

Pink Worms with Hooks at their Rears Invade Dog Owner’s Motel Room

“What kind of worms/centipede are these?” asks Cyndi in her submission regarding the small, pinkish worm-like creatures pictured below. They seem to possess claw-like appendages jutting out from their rears. “I found them on the bathroom floor under my towel,” she continues. “I had given dogs a bath the previous day with flea and tick medicine in the shampoo. Not sure if they came off the dogs when they were alive. They were very flat, centipede-looking, and very fast. I am staying at a motel currently so I’m not sure if it’s some kind of disease-infested bed bug-type thing or what. Please help me identify these.”

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Posted in Dog Worms Worms Facts Worms Generally

Woman Fears Dark Brown Worm May be Causing her Dog’s Seizures

“Trying to identify this as I just took the dog to hospital for what looked like a seizure and found this where he was”, writes this reader in her submission regarding the dark brown worm-like organism pictured below. “Scared this may be the cause. What is it?” Right off the bat, we will have to inform our reader that we can unfortunately not identify this worm, given its possible connection to her dog’s health issue. In fact, we never identify organisms that could be the cause of a health problem, as those situations are always medical in nature, and since we are not medical professionals, we are neither qualified nor legally able to provide such identification, as doing so would be tantamount to giving a diagnosis.