It's possible to treat roundworms with over-the-counter medicines such as pyrantel pamoate. Dogs need several doses spaced about two weeks apart to kill all the worms, because wormers can only kill the worms living in the dog's intestines and not the eggs or larvae. Repeated doses kill the new worms as they hatch.
Is over-the-counter dewormer effective?
Over-the-counter wormers are fine as part of a routine deworming schedule, but if your cat has been diagnosed with a worm infestation, a prescription-strength dewormer may be more effective. Vomiting and diarrhea are common side effects of deworming treatments, but shouldn't be excessive or prolonged.
How long does over-the-counter dewormer take to work?
Mebendazole does not kill the eggs of the worm. This is why you may need to take another dose 2 weeks later to help prevent reinfection. The medicine should start to work straight away but it may take several days to kill all the worms.
Can you treat dog worms over-the-counter?
There are two over-the-counter dewormers for dogs with praziquantel — Bayer quad dewormer and Bayer tapeworm dewormer for dogs. Most over-the-counter deworming medications do treat other types of tapeworms, like the ones dogs can get from eating rodents.
Can I deworm my dog without going to the vet?
The over-the-counter wormers purchased through pet supply retailers typically treat roundworms, which are found in most puppies but are usually not effective on the range of other parasites that older dogs can have. For those, you'll most likely need medication from your veterinarian.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
How long does it take for oral dewormer to work?Do over-the-counter dewormers for dogs work?
