What Is a Dewormer? How Does It Work?
Dewormers are typically oral medications (tablets or chewables).
Most worm parasites in pets target the intestinal tract. These worms include tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Heartworms are also common and affect the heart and arteries.
Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms target various parts of the stomach and intestine. The dewormer works by either dissolving the worm or paralyzing the pest, causing it to release its bite, fall through the intestinal tract, and come out in the animal’s stool.
This treatment does not kill larvae living in the animal’s body, so it must usually continue to be administered until the larvae evolve into adults and are treated as well.
Heartworms infect the heart, lungs, and arteries. Various heartworm treatments are used to kill the adults and larvae and prevent re-infestation.