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My dog keeps getting worms. Why do they return? Is monthly treatment safe?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 65 lbs

I gave a dog that I have treated for worms many times I treat her they are gone but in about a month they are back. What could be the cause and is it safe to just treat her monthly

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 27th, 2019

It is safe to treat Mitzi monthly, but at first, it's best to treat her every two weeks. This is due to the lifecycle of the worms. A deworming treatment kills the adult worms present, but not the eggs. So these eggs hatch after two to three weeks, and more worms come out. That's why you have to treat every two weeks at first. The first treatment kills the adult worms, and the second kills the worms who had not yet hatched at the time of the first treatment. Give Mitzi a deworming treatment now, another in two weeks, then another two weeks after that. That should kill all the worms. Then deworm her every three months.

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I dewormed leo today because he had soft stool for 2 days and a live worm came out one time and after deworming ,quite a few dead worms came out. so the vet recommended to continue deworming for next 2 or 3 days. is that ok to continue deworm him? or
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So i wouldn't have to give my pup another deworming medicine after she had her first one but played with a dog that didn't have the medicine yet?
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Is deworming done every month
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I have a 2 month toy Chihuahua and was the warmed 2 week ago she poop out worms 2 days later and was good but she just poop out worms again is it normal. She has an appointment to get her next dewormer on May 14. Should I worry and take her in to t
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Can a dog still have worms after giving them 2 doses of pills not even a week apart?
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