Deworming in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, that deworms puppies, kittens and adult pets. Worms are common, and most are easy to treat once you know which kind you're dealing with.

Not every dewormer kills every worm. That's why the vet often starts with a stool test, then picks the medicine that fits.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

Why do puppies and kittens need deworming so often?

Many puppies and kittens are born with roundworms or pick them up from their mother's milk. That's why young pets are dewormed several times in the first months of life, often at each vaccine visit.

Kittens are the most likely group to need it. Across Petfolk, 21% of kitten wellness visits included deworming, compared with 14% of puppy visits (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). Kittens from shelters, rescues or the street often arrive with worms and fleas at the same time.

If you just adopted a kitten in Lakewood, or found one under a porch, bring a stool sample to the first visit. See kitten vaccines in Lakewood for the rest of that first-year plan.

What are the signs my pet has worms?

Some pets show no signs. Others have:

• A round, bloated belly, mostly in puppies and kittens

• Loose stool or diarrhea that comes and goes

• Scooting on the floor

• Small white segments like rice grains near the tail (tapeworm)

• Weight loss even with a good appetite

• A dull coat or low energy

• Worms in vomit or stool that look like spaghetti

Seeing a worm makes it easy, but most of the time a stool test is how the vet finds them. Read more about pet fecal exams and parasite screening in Lakewood.

Went for routine visit with a very nervous cat but the staff was so kind and helpful during the whole process.

Alyssa L., Google review

Can I just buy a dewormer at the pet store?

You can, but it may not work. Store dewormers often cover only one or two types of worms, and tapeworms, whipworms and giardia need different medicine. Dosing is by weight too, and a wrong dose can fail or upset the stomach. A quick visit gets the right drug at the right dose.

How adult pets stay worm-free

For grown dogs and cats, prevention does most of the work. Many monthly heartworm products also clear common intestinal worms. Flea control matters too, since pets catch tapeworms by swallowing fleas while grooming.

A few habits help in East Dallas, where dogs share parks, trails and patios:

1. Pick up after your dog right away, at home and on walks.

2. Keep your dog from eating other animals' stool or dead wildlife.

3. Don't let your dog drink from puddles and standing water.

4. Have a stool test once a year, even on prevention.

What to expect after deworming

Most pets have no side effects. Some have a mild upset stomach for a day. You might see dead worms in the stool for a few days, which is normal. The vet will tell you if a second dose is needed, usually two to three weeks later, to catch worms that hatched after the first one.

Cost and gentle care

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. Deworming often fits into a wellness exam, which starts at $99. The team gives liquid or tablet medicine gently, with treats, and follows Fear Free methods for nervous pets.

When worms become urgent

A puppy or kitten with a heavy worm load can become weak and pale. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if a young pet is very weak, has pale gums, keeps vomiting or has bloody diarrhea. In Lower Greenville, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, is open 24 hours.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood, or see all veterinary services in Lakewood.