Deworming of dogs and cats
Do you suspect intestinal parasites or do you need your animal dewormed before a trip? We can help you easily with testing.
Convenient help before your trip
Safe care at home
Deworming of dogs and horses
Related terms
Deworming dog, deworming cat outdoor cat, dwarf tapeworm dog travel, recipes for deworming agents.
What is deworming?
Deworming involves treating an animal with a specific agent against internal parasites, such as roundworms or tapeworms, with a targeted drug. To avoid dangerous drug resistance, treatment is now almost always based on a stool sample, with the exception of the legally required dewormings required before traveling abroad.
Deworming for dogs
In dogs, deworming is usually done before a trip abroad (for example to Norway) where it is an absolute legal requirement. It is also done if the dog shows symptoms of worms such as diarrhea, weight loss or if worms are even seen in the stool.
Deworming for cats
Cats, especially outdoor cats that catch mice, are easily affected by tapeworms and roundworms. Deworming is done when you see worms with the naked eye or when a test has confirmed an ongoing parasitic infection.
Care guide: How to choose the right deworming and certification
Since we offer care through home visits, at our veterinary clinics (Arken Zoo) and at our animal clinic in Östermalm, you can always get the right kind of help. Here is a guide to make your choice easier before your trip or if you suspect a worm.
Home visit
A home visit is optimal for the mandatory deworming (and stamping in the EU passport) required before a trip abroad, so the animal avoids unnecessary transport just before departure. It is also perfect for cats and stress-sensitive dogs when parasites are suspected and you need an examination and prescription in a safe environment.
Veterinary clinic
Our clinics connected to Arken Zoo (among others in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Uppsala) are very convenient for those of you who can quickly get away from home. You can turn to this place to have the tablet administered and stamped in your passport for your trip to Norway, or to submit a stool sample.
Animal clinic
If deworming is part of a larger gastrointestinal examination, our clinic in Östermalm is the safest choice where we have a Gastroenterology Clinic. If it turns out that the weight loss or diarrhea is not due to worms, we have access to ultrasound and extended laboratory tests to quickly find the true root cause.
What can Vetathome do when you need help with deworming?
Our flexible options, whether we meet at home, at the clinic or a veterinary office, ensure that we minimize worry.
Identify
We make a calm clinical assessment of the animal's general condition, body and stomach. If parasites are suspected, we help you collect and analyze a stool sample to accurately identify any infection.
Treat
We immediately prescribe the medication with the best proven effect. When traveling abroad, we administer the medication on site and stamp the EU passport.
Prevent
We will give you valuable advice based on your specific animal. This may include how to sanitize your home in the event of giardia to reduce the infection pressure naturally and reduce the risk of reinfection or spread of the infection.
This is how the visit to a dewormer goes step by step
1. Booking
You choose whether we should meet at home, at the clinic or at an Arken Zoo reception, and indicate whether this involves travel.
2. Arrival
We greet the animal in peace and quiet and receive the information necessary for the visit.
3. Investigation
We evaluate the animal's general health, feel its stomach, and carefully review the pet's passport if it is a trip abroad.
4. Action
The correct medication is prescribed via e-prescription, or we provide the tablet directly on site and stamp the EU passport.
5. Plan and referral
We will go over how to prevent future parasite infestations and when it is time for any new tests.
Do you have more questions?
Contact our customer service and we will help you further.
When is a home visit not enough?
We can safely resolve most cases of parasite infestation, travel documentation and uncomplicated stomach problems on site. However, an extremely severe and long-term parasite infestation can cause acute internal damage that requires advanced clinical care.
When clinic or animal hospital is better
- The dog is coughing and not getting better.
- The dog or cat has uncontrollable diarrhea.
- The stool is dark, black and coffee grounds-like (signs of bleeding in the stomach).
- The animal is extremely lethargic, apathetic and cannot even stand up on its own.
Symptoms and early signs of parasites in dogs
Behavioral changes: The first sign of an internal parasite infestation is often a change in the dog's appetite; it may either refuse to eat altogether or become extremely voracious but still lose weight inexorably. A loose stomach where the animal does not get better can also be a cause.
How is it noticeable?: As an owner, you may notice that the stool suddenly becomes loose and slimy, or that the dog begins to "sled" by dragging its butt against the lawn due to intense itching.
Early signs: Subtle warning signs include an abnormally dull and lackluster coat, or a swollen and distended abdomen, which is a particularly common and serious sign in small puppies.
When it gets worse: If the diarrhea becomes severe and watery, if the dog becomes generally ill and dehydrated, or if the parasites cause vomiting, waiting at home is not enough and the animal needs emergency veterinary care.
Parasites in cats – important differences
Cats, especially those that hunt mice and small birds outdoors, are much more susceptible to tapeworms and roundworms than indoor cats. Because cats are masters at hiding pain and discomfort, a parasitic infestation can go undetected for a long time. Silent suffering often manifests itself as the cat sleeping more, having an untidy coat, or withdrawing from the family. If your cat suddenly develops severe diarrhea, stops using the litter box, refuses to eat, or becomes completely listless, it is a time-critical condition. Cats that stop eating very quickly develop life-threatening liver damage and require immediate veterinary evaluation.
When should I contact a vet – and when is it an emergency?
If your pet is losing weight or has an upset stomach, your concern is always justified, and you should never hesitate to seek advice. For suspected worms or for a mandatory deworming before a trip, a scheduled home visit, or an appointment at our clinics, is perfectly sufficient. The real ”red flags” that require immediate emergency care at an animal hospital are if the animal has bloody vomit, black stools or extreme lethargy.
Diagnosis – how do you know what's wrong?
Making a sure parasite diagnosis requires methodical examination to rule out other causes.
- Clinical examination of the body and abdomen. We feel the abdomen and assess the animal's general condition where it feels most comfortable.
- Medical history and owner's observations We review the animal's history and your observations of symptoms from everyday life at home.
- Laboratory analysis of stool samples: We analyze the sample microscopically to find eggs and reliably determine which parasite it is.
- Imaging diagnostics and referral if necessary: If an X-ray or ultrasound is required to rule out other diseases, we will easily refer you to a clinic.
Treatment and deworming of dogs at home
If we confirm worms through test results, we immediately send an electronic prescription for the right deworming medication. If it concerns deworming before a trip abroad to, for example, Norway or Finland, we administer the medication (which you have purchased, or which we have with us) and then fill in the dog's EU passport exactly according to current regulations. The goal is to make the entire process one hundred percent stress-free.
The time afterwards – healing and follow-up
After a deworming treatment, it is extremely important to be meticulous with hygiene. Always pick up your dog's feces outdoors to prevent reinfection to others. If your dog has had an upset stomach, we often recommend a period of bland food and probiotics to quickly help the intestinal flora heal and recover.
Treatment and deworming of cats
Cats generally hate being confined in a transport cage, which makes a home visit a fantastic solution if worms are suspected. Many cats are also true experts at spitting out tablets. Therefore, when it is medically appropriate for the specific parasite, we often prescribe smart spot-on preparations that are dripped directly into the cat's neck. This makes the treatment completely free of coercion, regardless of whether we help you at home or at the clinic.
Prognosis and expectations when deworming
The prognosis for uncomplicated parasitic infestations is generally excellent if a properly targeted preparation is used in time. Parasites steal important nutrients and energy, but once they are gone, most animals recover very quickly.
- The right choice of preparation – treating against exactly the right parasite provides the fastest and safest recovery.
- Good hygiene – thorough cleaning and mowing prevents the animal from becoming reinfected immediately afterwards.
- General condition – young or weak animals may need extra support with gentle diet to heal the intestines.
The prognosis for dogs
Dogs usually recover very quickly. With proper deworming, the stomach stabilizes, the diarrhea disappears, and the dog quickly regains its normal weight, muscle mass, and shiny coat.
The prognosis for cat
Cats respond extremely well to treatment. Once the intestinal parasites are gone, the cat's appetite returns to normal, and it regains its vitality and energy in just a week or so.
Quality of life always comes first
Our primary goal is for your pet to feel fantastic in their everyday lives. Parasites steal important nutrients and energy, which significantly reduces the quality of life. Should it turn out that the animal's symptoms are due to an incurable disease and not worms, we always have a warm and honest dialogue with you.
Pictures of worms in poop – so you can examine them yourself at home
Many people google ”what do worms look like” and find pictures of white grains of rice or spaghetti. However, remember that most worm eggs are completely invisible to the naked eye and require a microscope. Instead, do this self-check:
- Look at the stool: Look for mucus, blood, or visible worms, but don't jump to conclusions just because the poop looks "clean." But you can take a picture and show the vet.
- Feel the hole.: Have your ribs suddenly become much more visible? Weight loss despite a good appetite is a strong warning sign.
- Check the back body: Does the animal wash itself excessively under its tail or slide its butt against the ground?
Prevention – can you reduce the risk of parasites?
Routine deworming ”just in case” unfortunately creates life-threatening resistance in the parasites. The best way to prevent this is through smart and consistent routines in your pet’s daily life:
- Always pick up: Pick up your dog's feces outdoors immediately to directly stop the spread of infection to other dogs.
- Prolonged loose stools: It is not normal for a dog or cat to "always have a loose stomach". Seek medical attention promptly.
- Sample if necessary: Submit stool samples (or feces samples) annually for outdoor cats and dogs that like to eat outdoors.
Cost, insurance and compensation
Veterinary insurance often covers the examination if the animal has been proven to be sick with parasites. However, they rarely replace routine certificates before travel or preventive stool samples and deworming. We are happy to help you with direct settlement for the parts covered by your insurance.
Deworming and certificate before travel (EU passport)
A smooth visit where we administer the deworming agent and stamp the animal's passport for the trip abroad (e.g. to Norway or Finland).
Not covered by insurance
No, insurance does not cover preventive health care, routine certificates or paperwork prior to travel.
To think about
For trips to Norway, for example, deworming for dwarf tapeworm must be done within a strict time window of 24–120 hours before crossing the border. Make sure to have your pet's EU passport ready when we arrive, and we will arrange the stamps without stress.
Price from:
950/kr
Veterinary consultation Animal Clinic Östermalm
1,750 SEK
Veterinary consultation Home visit Gothenburg
1,550 SEK
Veterinary consultation Home visit Stockholm
2,150 SEK
Stool test/faeces test
1,700 SEK
30+ years
experience
200k+
Visit
How often should you deworm your animal?
Deworming should only be done when the animal has proven worms or shows clear symptoms. For healthy, adult dogs and indoor cats, it is almost never necessary, while outdoor cats and horses should be monitored with regular tests.
Can I get help with deworming before traveling to Norway?
Yes, absolutely. We can make a smooth home visit to give the dog the right medication (against dwarf tapeworm) within the required 24–120 hours before crossing the border, and then stamp the EU passport.
How much does a visit for deworming before traveling cost?
A veterinary consultation at home for deworming and passport stamping costs from 1550 SEK on weekdays.
Can you buy deworming without a prescription at the pharmacy?
Some preparations for small animals are available over-the-counter at pharmacies, but we strongly recommend that you always consult a veterinarian and take a sample first.
What is the very best deworming?
There is no universal solution that works for everything. The absolute best preparation is always the one that the veterinarian prescribes after accurately identifying the specific parasite the animal is carrying.
Does deworming hurt the animal?
No, the treatment is completely painless and is given either as a tablet, a liquid paste or via smooth drops in the neck. Some animals may dislike the taste of the tablet, but the discomfort is over in a few seconds.
Does the animal have side effects from deworming agents?
Most preparations are very safe and rarely cause side effects. Sometimes the animal may experience temporary loose stomach or seem a little tired during the very first day, but serious reactions are rare.
Are worms always visible in the feces if the animal is infected?
No, often only microscopic eggs are excreted, which must be analyzed in an approved laboratory. Therefore, the fact that the feces look completely ”clean” to the naked eye is no guarantee that the animal is parasite-free.
Why shouldn't you deworm yourself just to be safe?
If we use medicine when it is not actually needed, the parasites develop a life-threatening drug resistance. Ultimately, we will have no effective medicines left by the day the animals become seriously ill.
Is there deworming for cats that refuse to take tablets?
Yes, for cats there are very convenient ”spot-on” preparations that are simply dripped into the neck instead of being forced into the mouth. This makes the treatment completely stress-free for both you and the cat.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Here you can read some of the most common questions and answers that we often receive from our customers.
Personal animal care in safe environments – Home visits, clinic & reception
We cooperate with all insurance companies
VetAtHome offers both clinic visits, home visits and visits to our veterinary practices – what is best depends on your animal's needs and what feels most convenient for you. We work with all insurance companies, making it easy to get help regardless of your insurance coverage.
