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What Is the Cost of Deworming a Dog? (2024 Update)

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By Nicole Cosgrove

labrador puppy getting dewormed

Deworming a dog is an essential part of keeping them healthy. If a dog is infected with worms, it can cause serious health problems and even death. Fortunately, deworming a dog is relatively easy and relatively inexpensive. The costs of deworming a dog usually ranges from $25 to $50, but it will depend on a number of factors, including the worm infestation, the size of the dog, the number of treatments needed, and the type of medication used. Let’s learn more about the costs of deworming a dog in this article.

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The Importance of Deworming

There are many types of worms that can affect dogs, from intestinal parasites to heartworms, and more. Regardless of the type of worm, it’s important to treat them as soon as possible. Intestinal worms can interfere with your dog’s digestion and can contribute to weight loss. Heartworms can lead to heart problems, difficulty breathing, lung disease, and even heart failure if left untreated. Worms can also migrate to other parts of your dog’s body, which can lead to death if they continue to multiply and migrate and aren’t treated.

a french bulldog given oral medicine through syringe
Image Credit: JOKE_PHATRAPONG, Shutterstock

How Much Does Deworming a Dog Cost?

It can be hard to give an exact price for how much deworming a dog costs because it will depend on a number of factors, including the worm infestation, the size of the dog, the number of treatments needed, and the type of medication used.

For example, if the dog is infested with multiple types of worms, multiple treatments may be required, bringing the total cost up significantly. A large dog infected with roundworms and tapeworms may require two or three treatments, which could cost around $100.

In addition to the cost of the medication, you may also have to pay a vet visit fee. This will depend on the vet, but it can range from $30 to $100. The cost of the vet visit will also depend on whether the dog needs to be examined and tests run to determine the best treatment.

Type of Treatment Average Low-End Cost Average High-End Cost
Vet Visit Costs $50 $75
Medications $50 $150
Blood Transfusions/Hospitalization $500 $1,500
Worm Prevention $6 per month $18 per month

Note that some parasites may require multiple rounds of medication, so the costs of medication are per treatment. But again, exact costs can depend on the type of worm and the severity of the infection.

Additionally, if heartworms are the culprit, your vet may recommend that your dog take a monthly or quarterly heartworm prevention pill in order to keep the worms from coming back. This will cost money, but it is usually optional for you as the owner. However, it can help prevent heartworms from coming back and keep your furry friend healthy, and the cost per month is usually cheaper than the treatment required if your dog has already developed heartworms.

Additional Costs to Anticipate

The costs above are just what you can expect to pay for visiting the vet along with any medications, and in the case of severe infections, blood transfusions or hospitalizations that may occur. Your vet may charge additional fees for any X-rays, blood testing, and any other diagnostics that are needed to diagnose the type of worm that your dog has. These costs can vary based on your vet and the type of testing that is needed, but you will need to pay them on top of the prices listed above.

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How Often Should I Deworm a Dog?

If your dog has puppies, it’s a good idea to have them dewormed at least once, but maybe more if your vet recommends it. As your dog ages, you may only need to deworm them if you notice worms in your dog’s stool or if you notice any signs of heartworms.1

Signs of heartworms in dogs include:
  • Mild persistent cough
  • Reluctance to exercise
  • Fatigue after exercise
  • Decreased appetite
  • Weight loss
Signs of intestinal worms in dogs include:
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Visible worms in stool
  • Pot-bellied stomach
  • Weakness

It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s poop to make sure everything looks normal. The sooner you can catch a potential worm infection, whether it be heartworms or Signs of intestinal worms, the better off your dog will be.2 Also, the sooner you can catch it, the more money you’ll save on treatments for it.

Many veterinarians recommend having your dog taken for a check up about every 3 to 6 months, depending on its age and breed. This way you can prevent any health issues from worsening and keep an eye on any things that may be developing, such as worms. Your vet can also keep you up to date with the dog’s vaccinations and recommend some worm prevention methods to help you get ahead of the game when it comes to preventing worms.

vet carrying boston terrier dog
Image Credit: Zakharova_Elena, Shutterstock

Does Pet Insurance Cover Deworming?

Whether or not pet insurance covers deworming depends on the company and the type of policy you have. Some policies don’t cover routine deworming and prevention medications if it’s something that you’re choosing to do regularly in order to get ahead of a potential worm problem.

However, others will cover deworming if your dog does become infected by worms. In that case, it’s a health issue that is negatively affecting your dog and may be considered an illness depending on what your insurance company covers. In order for deworming to be covered in this case, you will likely need to have an accident and illness policy. An accident-only policy usually won’t cover deworming because it’s not considered an accident.

Also, your dog will need to have gotten worms after you’ve already signed up for a policy. If your dog develops worms and you’re trying to sign up for a policy in order to cover it, it will be considered a pre-existing condition. Most insurance companies don’t pay for pre-existing conditions. If your dog has worms prior to you signing up for a policy, it won’t be covered and you would have to pay for the deworming yourself. But if your dog develops worms again after you sign up for a policy, it should then be covered the next time provided that deworming is part of your policy coverage.

Also note that you still may have to pay some money out of pocket for the deworming treatment if your deductible hasn’t been met, which is the amount you have to cover before insurance kicks in. Again, this will vary based on your policy. If deworming is something you’re going to want covered, it’s important to get the ins and outs of a particular policy you’re looking at prior to signing up.

How to Prevent Worms in Dogs

The most effective way to prevent worms in dogs is with monthly prevention medications. These medications work to prevent and kill worms that enter into your dog’s body before they can become a problem. And as mentioned previously, although this will cost you money monthly, it can be cheaper than paying for deworming treatment at the vet after your dog develops worms.

Flea treatment can also help prevent worms in dogs. Fleas are a common way for dogs to get intestinal parasites since fleas can carry tapeworms and transmit them to your dog. If you can prevent fleas from getting onto your dog, it can go a long way toward preventing tapeworms. Flea treatments come in oral and topical form. Oral flea treatments tend to cost more but they also tend to be more effective.

Other ways to prevent worms in dogs include:
  • Avoiding contact with other dog feces
  • Preventing your dog from interacting with and ingesting wildlife
  • Deworming the mother to prevent the puppies from getting worms

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Conclusion

There is no way to tell the exact cost of deworming a dog, as it depends on the type of worm, the severity of the infestation, and the size of the dog, among other factors. You can expect to pay between $50 and $150 for the medication treatment alone, but other costs such as vet visits, blood transfusions, and prevention medication can all increase the cost. The best way to avoid having to pay for deworming a dog is to implement prevention methods. Even if these cost money, it is often cheaper in the long run than having to pay for deworming from a vet.


Featured Image Credit: Ilike, Shutterstock

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