Deworming

No single dewormer covers every worm, so we start with a stool test and treat what it finds. Our Midlothian clinic sits on Steam Avenue in Midlothian Depot, just off Midlothian Turnpike at Alverser Drive, and we see dogs and cats seven days a week. Puppies, kittens, rescues, and the adult dog you just spotted something on each get a plan built around results, not a guess.

Call (804) 603-9509 or book online. Bring a fresh stool sample if you can.

When it's an emergency: Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if a puppy or kitten is vomiting, has bloody or watery diarrhea, won't eat, or seems weak, especially if its vaccines aren't finished. Those signs can mean parvovirus or severe dehydration, not just worms. Our Midlothian clinic is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and we don't provide overnight care.

Why We Test Before We Deworm

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms respond to different medications. A broad over-the-counter dewormer can miss the one your pet has, and Giardia and coccidia aren't worms at all, so a dewormer won't touch them.

A fecal exam looks for parasite eggs under a microscope, and most samples are processed in our in-clinic lab. Some parasites shed eggs on and off, so one clean sample doesn't always settle the question. The doctor may ask for a recheck.

• Roundworms and hookworms: the most common finds in puppies and kittens.

• Whipworms: shed eggs unevenly and can hide on a first sample.

• Tapeworms: often spotted at home as rice-like segments near the tail, and usually tied to fleas.

• Giardia and coccidia: single-celled parasites that need a different medication.

Puppies, Kittens, and Rescues Get a Schedule, Not a Single Dose

Many puppies and kittens pick up roundworms from their mother, before birth or through nursing. Cornell's Feline Health Center notes that kittens can be infected through their mother's milk soon after birth. That's why young animals are usually dewormed on a repeating schedule even when they look healthy.

One dose clears the adult worms present that day. Larvae already in the body mature over the following weeks, and the follow-up doses catch them. Shelter paperwork that says "dewormed" usually means one dose, so bring it and we'll pick up from there.

At the first visit, the doctor examines your pet, checks the stool, and sets the dosing dates. You stay with your pet the whole time.

"Everyone was patient, answered all our questions on the new puppy."

— Jason W., Petfolk client.

Prevention vs. Treatment

Monthly heartworm preventives often cover roundworms and hookworms too. They usually don't cover tapeworms, and not every product covers whipworms. So a pet on prevention can still test positive, and a pet with a known infection may need a targeted drug and a recheck.

• Prevention: a monthly product for a healthy pet with no known infection.

• Treatment: a medication chosen after the fecal exam identifies the parasite.

• Recheck: a second stool test to confirm the infection cleared.

• Housemates: other pets may need testing too, since they share the same yard.

Choosing the monthly product itself happens at a heartworm prevention visit.

When Your Pet Doesn't Need Deworming

If your adult pet stays on a year-round preventive, had a clean fecal exam at the last annual visit, and has normal stool and appetite, you likely don't need a separate deworming visit. The routine stool check at the next wellness exam is enough, and we'll tell you so.

The exception: if you see worms or rice-like segments, bring a sample in. That's worth acting on.

Worms That Can Reach Your Family

Roundworms and hookworms aren't only a pet problem. The cat roundworm can infect people, and hookworm larvae in soil can enter through bare skin. Children who play where dogs relieve themselves carry the most risk.

Chesterfield County allows leashed dogs throughout its parks, so the same lawns at Rockwood Park and Mid-Lothian Mines Park host dogs and families every weekend. Picking up right away, and keeping your own dog on schedule, keeps eggs out of shared grass. At home, clear the yard at least weekly and keep kids' play areas apart from the dog's spot.

What Deworming Costs

When deworming happens at a wellness visit, the exam is $99, or included with a PetfolkCare membership ($199 a year). The fecal test and any medication are priced on top, and the medication depends on the parasite and your pet's weight. You get an estimate before anything is done.

If your pet is sick when you come in, the visit type may change. We'll tell you which visit you're booking when you call.

Start With a Stool Sample

Bring a fresh sample, collected within about 12 hours, to our clinic on Steam Avenue. We'll tell you what's there, what treats it, and when to recheck. Call (804) 603-9509 or book online.