Worms can be anywhere – some are seen by the naked eye, some are not. Boston Terriers can acquire them in different ways and it can cause several problems. You can either prevent those worms from living inside your Boston Terriers’ body or remove them if they have infested already.
So the question is, what is the best wormer for a Boston Terrier?
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Boston Terrier Wormer Reviews
Now that you know what symptoms to watch out for, here are some of the best wormers for a Boston Terrier. You may consult your vet before giving them any kind of medicine and to know if your Boston has some kind of allergy. Let’s take a look at the best wormers over the counter.
Pfizer Nemex-2 Wormer
The Pfizer Nemex-2 Wormer is an FDA-approved anthelmintic drug made with pyrantel pamoate. Pyrantel pamoate is a powerful active ingredient that is safe and effective in treating roundworms and hookworms in Boston Terrier puppies and adults. It can be administered easily since it is in liquid form.
Compared to ProSense Safeguard Canine Dewormer and Panacur-C Canine Dewormer, this one can be administered as early as 2 weeks old. Since puppies and adult Boston Terriers have different dosage needs, make sure to check the label for the proper amount to administer based on the age or body weight. For example, a teaspoon can be administered per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight.
It is the easiest to give to your Boston especially if they are not fond of taking tablets or granules. You can either give the dewormer directly using a dropper or mix it with their food. The disadvantage of Nemex-2 wormer is the limited type of parasites that it can treat.
Pros
- It is also safe for pregnant dogs.
- A tablet or powdered dewormers could be a challenge, a liquid dewormer like Nemex-2 could be a great alternative
Cons
- It can only treat roundworms and hookworms.
- Safe, palatable and convenient
- 4.54 mg pyrantel pamoate per ml
- Controls large roundworms and hookworms in dogs
ProSense Safeguard Canine Dewormer
The ProSense Safeguard Canine Dewormer has an active ingredient called fenbendazole, which is considered one of the most effective anthelmintics by veterinarians. Unlike the Nemex-2 Wormer, it can treat four kinds of worms. The Safeguard Canine Dewormer can get rid of, or protect your Boston Terrier from tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
Safeguard Canine Dewormer is safe for Boston Terriers from over the age of 6 weeks and older, for pregnant dogs, and even for heartworm-infected Bostons. It is also easy to administer, but not as easy as the liquid wormer, Nemex-2. You can give the dewormer granules to your Boston by mixing them into his food.
Safeguard Canine Dewormer should be given for 3 consecutive days depending on the bodyweight of your Boston. For instance, your Boston Terrier weighs 18 pounds, you should give him 2 grams of this dewormer for 3 days in a row.
On the downside, since it is in granule or powder form, your Boston may sniff some of it, especially when mixed with dry food.
Pros
- It is more affordable than Nemex-2, yet also effective
- It offers great help for common types of parasites in dogs
- It provides long-lasting protection of at least 6 months
Cons
- It has some mild side effects, such as vomiting
- Safe-Guard treats against Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms
- Easy to feed granules that mix into food
- Safe for young puppies over the age of 6 weeks, pregnant dogs, and heartworm infected dogs
Panacur-C Canine Dewormer
The Panacur-C Canine Dewormer is an FDA and veterinarian-approved dewormer for your Boston Terrier. Similar to Safeguard Canine Dewormer, it can treat four different kinds of worms, like hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms. It also has fenbendazole as an active ingredient in treating those worms.
Panacur-C Canine Dewormer is applicable for all breeds of dogs from the age of six weeks and up. Panacur-C Canine Dewormer is in powder form, just like the Safeguard Canine Dewormer. You can mix it with a moistened dog food, so your Boston Terrier can consume all of it for more effective results.
The dewormer should be given once a day according to your Boston Terrier’s body weight for 3 days straight. Make sure to get the right weight measurement of your Boston to ensure proper dosage. If your Boston’s weight is in between, say 15 pounds, opt for the higher dosage.
On the downside, it is not as safe as Nemex-2 for younger puppies since it is stronger.
Pros
- It is available in different gram packet sizes to suit your dog’s needs
- Can treat dogs with several kinds of tapeworms
Cons
- Your Boston Terrier has a 1% chance of vomiting after using this product
Things to Consider Before Worming Your Boston Terrier
Before administering any kind of medicine, wormer or not, you should have proper consultation and diagnosis with your vet. Aside from the laboratory testing, there are other things that you should consider before deworming your Boston Terrier.
Here’s a table for an easy reference.
| Product | Active Ingredient | Parasites Treated | Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Nemex-2 Wormer | Pyrantel Pamoate | Roundworms and Hookworms | 2 weeks old and older |
| ProSense Safeguard Canine Dewormer | Fenbendazole | Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms | 6 weeks and older |
| Panacur-C Canine Dewormer | Fenbendazole | Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, and Tapeworms | 6 weeks and older |
- Take note and follow your dog’s deworming schedule. Deworming will be more effective if it is tracked and done at the proper time. For example, puppies should be dewormed at 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age. Older dogs should be dewormed in schedule, too.
- Make sure your Boston Terrier is not allergic to substances found in the medicine.
- Do not deworm your dog if he is sick.
- Consider the climate in the area where you live and the activities of your Boston.
- Maintain proper hygiene for you and your dog to avoid the contraction of the parasites.
Symptoms of a Worm Problem in Boston Terriers
Before I come up with a solution to what is the best wormer for a Boston Terrier, it is best to identify the symptoms first to know if there really is a problem, to begin with. These symptoms may vary depending on the health of your Boston Terrier.
Here is a short list of some symptoms that you should look out for to know if your Boston Terrier has worms.
- Coughing can be a sign of heartworm, roundworm, or hookworm
- Vomiting, sometimes with visible worms
- Diarrhea, dogs with hookworm can have bloody stool as well
- Lethargy due to lack of nutrients and low blood
- Potbelly, commonly caused by roundworms
- Loss or increased appetite
- Rapid weight loss can be caused by a tapeworm
- Dull and dry coat, which can result in hair loss
- Skin irritation due to some rashes or lesions
- Scooting or rubbing its butt on the ground to relieve itchiness
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Worm My Boston Terrier?
The frequency of deworming a Boston Terrier depends on their age and health. Boston Terrier puppies, from birth up to 6 months of age, should be dewormed regularly based on your vet’s recommendation because they are still establishing their immune system. Adult Boston Terriers, however, should be dewormed at least 3 to 4 times a year.
Can Boston Terrier Worms Be Passed on to Humans?
Yes. Worms from a dog can be passed on to humans, especially to children, through their feces and saliva. The most common type of worm that can be passed on to humans from dogs is a roundworm. Roundworm eggs do not complete their life cycle inside the human body, yet they can still make you sick.
Conclusion
Worms are parasites that can cause harm and illnesses to your Boston Terrier. So, it is very important to regularly treat them with the best wormer. If those parasites are showing some symptoms or have caused some damage, to the digestive tract of your Boston for example, consult a vet immediately.
