Logical worming regimes: How often should I worm my cat or dog, and with what?

Abstract

Vets in first-opinion companion animal practice are frequently asked by owners ‘How often should I worm my pet?’ In the USA, and other countries in which heartworm is endemic, the correct advice would always be to worm your pet monthly to prevent infection with Dirofilaria immitis. In the UK, however, this is a more complex question and one that can be answered only by considering a range of factors. With an increasingly wide array of anthelmintics on the market, a second pressing question for the veterinary surgeon is ‘Which wormer should I use?’ This article addresses these questions and presents a variety of worming protocols for use in practice.