When to Deworm a Litter

Q: How early and often should I deworm a litter of Labrador puppies? The dam was tested clear at the time of whelping and had been on Heartgard for HW and intestinal parasites prior to breeding.

A: Parasites are nasty critters and can cause all kinds of heartache and stress with a litter. This is why it is so important to have a sturdy parasite protocol for all of our dogs. The hardest thing for me to wrap my head around was that just because the dog had a clear fecal, did not mean that there were no encysted larvae in the tissue that were just waiting to emerge in a stressful situation like pregnancy. This is why I use the liquid Safeguard 10% starting at day 40 of gestation and continuing through 2-7 days post whelping. This low dose protocol of 1cc per 8.8lbs of weight kills the encysted larvae as well as any active infestation, along with killing any giardia protozoa present. This protocol allows me to worm later and less frequently as I have made sure that no parasite larvae have passed to the nursing puppies. However, because it sounds like you might not have followed that protocol, I would suggest that the normal worming schedule of 2wks, 4wks, 6wks, and 8wks prior to leaving for their new homes. Work with your vet, because they know the parasite loads in your specific area and will determine which of the worming meds, or combination, will be most effective. Remember to worm the bitch every time you worm the puppies too.