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Puppy dewormed, but still seeing worms. Is this normal or vet needed?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 4 lbs

I just got a 12 week old puppy and I'm not sure hev was de-wormed because after her first dosage we saw a worm in her stool, my de-wormer's instruction instruct treatment every 2-3 weeks. Should I continue her 5-6 treatments before seeking medical help from a vet or should I take her in for stronger medication?

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on November 10th, 2017

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Trixxi is very cute! Sounds like the dewormer is working properly. Sometimes dead worms pass and sometimes they get digested on the way out. It depends on where they are in the intestinal tract when they are killed by the dewormer. Yes, you are correct. Puppies need to be dewormed every 3 weeks at least 3-4 times depending on what age you start the dewormer and if they are taking heartworm prevention that has a dewormer in it. Most heartworm medicines have an intestinal dewormer in it, so once that is started, that can substitute for your puppy dewormings. I would advise that you get her seen by your veterinarian so her puppy vaccines stay updated and that she is monitored for good health. Also, your vet can discuss proper flea/tick and heartworm products. Good luck with Trixxi.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 23rd, 2017

    Yes, that can be normal to see adult worms passed in the stool following a deworming. If you want to be sure that she is paradite free, submit a fecal sample to your veterinarian 2-4 weeks following this last dose of medication given.

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on November 22nd, 2016

    You may still see worms in his poop for up to 48 hours after giving the dewormer - this is normal, and means that the medication is working. Just make sure to repeat the dose in 14 days to ensure that all life stages of the worms are killed.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 25th, 2017

    You are seeing worms in his feces because he just received a tapeworm injection. It means that the deworming treatment is working and is killing the worms. There is no need to take them back into the vet clinic, but they will need another deworming treatment in two weeks to kill all of the worms. I hope this helps :-)

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