Deworming in Wake Forest, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Wake Forest is a vet in Wake Forest, NC, that deworms dogs and cats with medicine matched to the parasite. Puppies and kittens are dewormed several times in their first months, and adults are treated when a test or sign shows worms.

Not every dewormer kills every worm. A stool test first tells the vet which medicine your pet needs and how many doses.

Call (919) 891-6444, book online or walk in.

How often should puppies and kittens be dewormed?

At Petfolk Wake Forest, puppies and kittens are usually dewormed every couple of weeks in their first months, often at the same visits as their vaccines. Many are born with roundworms or pick them up from their mother's milk. Across Petfolk, kittens are the most likely to be dewormed at a wellness visit, at 21% of kitten visits versus 14% of puppy visits (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026).

What signs mean my pet has worms?

Some pets with worms look normal. Others show signs like:

• A swollen, round belly in a puppy or kitten

• Diarrhea, sometimes with mucus or blood

• Vomiting, sometimes with worms in it

• Rice-like bits near the tail or in the bedding, a sign of tapeworm

• Weight loss even with a good appetite

• Scooting or licking under the tail

If you see any of these, bring a stool sample to your visit. See fecal exams in Wake Forest for how to collect one.

Which dewormer will my pet get?

The vet at Petfolk Wake Forest picks a dewormer based on the worm found, your pet's weight and age, and whether they're on monthly prevention. Roundworms and hookworms are treated with one type of medicine, tapeworms often need another, and whipworms and giardia have their own plans. Some pets need a second dose two to three weeks later to catch worms that hatched after the first dose.

I left with proper medication and scheduled a follow up to make sure she's doing better.

Maria O., Google review

Tapeworms start with fleas

Most tapeworms in dogs and cats come from swallowing a flea while grooming. So if your pet has tapeworm, the vet will also talk about flea control for every pet in the home. Fleas are common in North Carolina's warm, humid weather, and the clinic page lists them among the issues the team treats most. See flea and tick prevention.

Keeping worms away

• Give monthly prevention on schedule. Many heartworm preventives for dogs also treat some intestinal worms.

• Pick up your dog's poop right away in your yard and on walks.

• Keep dogs from eating wildlife droppings or dead animals on trails near Falls Lake and the Heritage greenways.

• Keep cats indoors so they don't hunt mice and birds.

• Wash hands after handling poop or litter, since some pet worms can infect people.

Fear Free handling makes dosing calm. Many dewormers come as tasty chews, and the team can give the first dose at the visit.

What does deworming cost?

The cost of deworming at Petfolk Wake Forest depends on the medicine and your pet's weight. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. Deworming is often part of puppy and kitten visits, and the wellness exam starts at $99.

When worms become urgent

A young puppy or kitten with heavy worms can get weak and anemic quickly. Call the clinic the same day if your pet has bloody diarrhea, won't eat or seems very tired. If a small puppy or kitten is pale, cold or can't stand, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital on Paragon Park Rd in Raleigh.

Get your pet checked

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Wake Forest is at 3600 Rogers Branch Rd, Suite 103, Wake Forest, NC 27587, a short drive from Rolesville and downtown. Bring a fresh stool sample if you can.

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