Deworming for Dogs & Cats in Mansfield, TX, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Mansfield is a vet in Mansfield, TX, that deworms puppies, kittens, rescues and adult pets. Deworming works best when the vet knows which worm you're dealing with, because no single medicine kills every parasite. A quick stool test and the right dose usually clear things up in a few weeks.

Call (817) 241-2355, book online or walk in.

Does my new puppy or kitten need deworming?

Almost always, yes. Many puppies and kittens are born with roundworms or get them from mom's milk. That's why deworming is part of the first vaccine visits. Across Petfolk, from October 2025 through September 2026, kittens were the most likely to be dewormed at a wellness visit: 21% of kitten visits versus 14% of puppy visits. Kittens often come from barns, porches and litters with no vet care, so they start with more worms.

The vet usually repeats the dose every few weeks during the early visits, since one dose kills adult worms but not the ones still growing. Bring a stool sample to each puppy or kitten visit if you can. It shows whether the plan is working and whether a different medicine is needed, so you're not guessing.

What about strays and rescues?

Any pet that lived outside or came from a stray litter should be checked for worms, even if they look healthy. Mansfield Animal Care & Control adopts out pets that are already vaccinated for rabies, spayed or neutered and microchipped, but worms can still come along, especially in young animals. A first visit with a stool test is a good next step.

We should have taken her to the vet immediately, if ever I take in a stray i well definitely do that now.

Sherry H., Google review

Which worms are common, and what do they look like?

• Roundworms: long, white and spaghetti-like. Sometimes seen in vomit or stool.

• Hookworms: too small to see. Can cause pale gums and weakness in young pets.

• Whipworms: a dog worm that causes on-and-off diarrhea with mucus.

• Tapeworms: rice-like bits near the tail or on bedding. Pets get them by swallowing fleas while grooming, so flea control is part of the cure.

Seeing no worms doesn't mean a pet is clear. Most are found only on a fecal exam in Mansfield.

Should I use a dewormer from the store?

It's better to ask first. Store dewormers often cover only one or two kinds of worms, and dosing by guesswork can miss the mark. The vet matches the medicine to the worm and to your pet's weight. Medicine comes from the on-site pharmacy, so there's no second stop.

Keeping worms from coming back

• Give a monthly preventive that covers gut worms. Many heartworm products do.

• Use flea prevention to stop tapeworms.

• Pick up dog poop in the yard every day. Worm eggs can stay in soil for a long time.

• Wash hands after the litter box or yard work, and teach kids to do the same.

The City of Mansfield's animal care ordinance expects pet parents to get vet treatment for parasites, and staying on prevention is the simplest way to meet it.

Cost of deworming

The cost depends on your pet's weight and the medicine. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. A wellness exam at Petfolk Mansfield starts at $99, or it's free with the PetfolkCare plan.

Fear Free, gentle handling makes pill time and stool checks easier on young pets.

When worms make a pet sick

A puppy or kitten with pale gums, a swollen belly, bloody diarrhea or weakness needs a same-day visit. If your pet collapses or can't stand, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists at 301 U.S. 287 Frontage Rd.

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