Puppies and kittens should be dewormed more than once, a few weeks apart, starting in their first weeks of life, and adult pets need deworming when a stool test finds worms or their monthly preventive doesn't cover them. Different worms need different medicines, so a stool test usually comes first. Petfolk SouthPark is a veterinary clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a veterinarian in SouthPark picks the dewormer based on your pet's age, test results and habits.
Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
Who gets dewormed at Petfolk SouthPark?
At Petfolk SouthPark, deworming is mostly for young pets (October 2025 to September 2026):
About 1 in 10 puppy wellness visits (10%) included a deworming treatment.
About 1 in 6 kitten wellness visits (16%) did too.
For dogs 1 to 7 years old, it was well under 1% of wellness visits, because most adult dogs are on a monthly preventive that covers common worms.
Which worms are common in Mecklenburg County dogs?
Hookworm and roundworm are two of the intestinal worms found in Charlotte-area dogs. In 2025, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) found:
Hookworm in about 1 in 50 dogs tested in Mecklenburg County (2.39%, CAPC map).
Roundworm in about 1 in 100 dogs tested (0.84%, CAPC map).
Hookworm and roundworm eggs pass in stool and can survive in soil for a long time. Dogs pick them up by sniffing and licking where other dogs have been, which is why picking up after your own dog on SouthPark sidewalks and grass strips matters.
What does the vet check before choosing a dewormer?
The Petfolk SouthPark doctor works through a short checklist before recommending a dewormer.
Age. Roundworms and hookworms can pass from a mother to her litter before birth or through nursing, so young puppies and kittens are dewormed early and more than once. Bring any shelter or breeder paperwork. The puppy vaccines page covers the visits these often share.
A stool sample. A fecal test looks for worm eggs under a microscope and catches parasites a standard dewormer may not cover, such as whipworms or the single-celled parasites Giardia and coccidia. The fecal exam page explains what it can find.
Fleas in the house. Pets get the common tapeworm by swallowing an infected flea while grooming. Treat the fleas too, or the tapeworm comes back.
Hunting and scavenging. Cats who hunt mice or birds, and dogs who eat wildlife droppings or raid compost, meet worms indoor pets rarely see.
Your current preventive. Many monthly heartworm products also treat some intestinal worms; none covers every type. Bring the box or a photo of the label.
Who lives at home. Some pet worms can infect people (see below).
Can people catch worms from pets?
Yes, some pet roundworms and hookworms can infect people, most often young children who play in soil or sand and put their hands in their mouths. The CDC recommends handwashing after handling pets or soil, prompt cleanup of pet waste, and regular veterinary deworming. If someone at home is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, tell the Petfolk SouthPark doctor.
What are the signs of worms in a dog or cat?
Rice-like segments near the tail or on bedding (tapeworm)
Scooting along the floor
A pot-bellied look in a young puppy or kitten
Diarrhea, sometimes with mucus
Weight loss with a normal appetite
Worms in vomit or stool
Many pets with worms show no signs at all, which is why routine checks matter. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) treats parasite control as a year-round job.
We were able to have her tested for FLV/AIDS, dewormed, and distemper vax. Holly H., Google review
How much does deworming cost at Petfolk SouthPark?
At Petfolk SouthPark, the dewormer is priced by product and your pet's weight, and is usually given at a wellness exam that starts at $99 (or is included with a PetfolkCare plan). You'll see the total before anything is given.
When do worms need emergency care?
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet has bloody diarrhea, vomits repeatedly, seems very weak or has pale gums. A heavy worm burden in a very young puppy or kitten can cause blood loss that needs care quickly. Petfolk SouthPark is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, with no overnight care.
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark is at 4914 Old Sardis Rd, Unit C5, Charlotte, NC 28211, and sees dogs and cats. Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark, or see all veterinary services in SouthPark.
Worm questions, answered
Inside the Strawberry Hill shopping center