The main treatment is to prevent the worm eggs from developing into the adult worm and prevent re-infestation. Internal Parasites burden is often demonstrated by a starry coat, emaciation, ravenous appetite, eye discharges, biting at tail, dragging or ‘scooting’ along on bum, cough. The presence of Tapeworm segments show as little ‘rice grains’ appearing around the anus.
|
DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS:
Remember worms thrive in a high mucous load. The following program works well:
| • |
Raw carrot finely grated up in food, (essential to FINELY grate carrot as it has a very hard cell membrane and you will find the carrot just passes through with the faeces). A little raw onion, chopped finely. |
| • |
Garlic is well known for its action — it actually does not kill the worms or even harm them, but it does change the environment in which they live. Use at least one clove of organic garlic in the meal daily. |
| • |
Pumpkin Seeds — Raw ground up Pumpkin seeds mixed with raw coconut. |
| • |
Pomegranates are especially good for Tapeworm and can be used homeopathically for this purpose. |
HOMEOPATHICS:
• Round Worms — Cina, Chenopodium, Santonium, Terebinth
• Tape Worms — Granatum, Filix mas. Kousso
• Hookworm, Roundworm — Oil of Chenopodium
There are many homeopathic remedies suitable for worm control and it would be appropriate to refer to the Homeopathic Materia Medica for the most suitable or contact your natural animal health practitioner.
HERBALS:
The herbs used for parasite / worm control are known as anthelmintics. These herbs include garlic, wormwood, rue, thyme and elecampagne. Many of these herbs are extremely bitter and administration is very difficult without causing stress. Many of these herbs are also CONTRA INDICATED (that is, do NOT use) in pregnancy.
| • |
Black Walnut — (Juglans nigra), Has a high tannin content. Effective against Roundworms / Hookworms / Pinworms / Tapeworms. |
| • |
Butternut — Effective against Pinworms / Threadworms. |
| • |
Tansy |
| • |
Wormwood — Artemisia absinthium & Artemsia cina
(Artemisia absinthium), Contains bitter principles and volatile oils containing mainly terpenes. It stimulates the gall bladder so recommended to give after meals. Especially effective against Threadworms. Also Round / Pin. (Contra indicated in Pregnancy).
(Artemsia cina), the Levant Wormwood, is the real worm remedy, active also against Roundworms. |
| • |
Epazote— Effective against Roundworms, Hookworms, (not Tapeworms). |
HOMEOBOTANICALS:
This therapy has available an anthelmintic for Roundworm and Threadworm etc. containing garlic, quassia, wormwood and other herbs. It has the advantage of being easy to administer, palatable to all species of animals. Their gentle action does not cause resistant 'super worms' The use of powerful synthetic anthelmintic dosing has produced animals with compromised health and growing sensitivity to dosing. (Goats in particular are sensitive to synthetic worming preparations). Used as a farm drench internally and externally as a spray offers an organic, non-toxic method of controlling this problem. An excellent method of treating herds., its effectiveness is enhanced when used as an integral part of a holistic animal management program.
Worm Descriptions
ROUNDWORM: Eggs ingested, hatch in small intestine, migrate to liver and heart, thence to lungs — coughed up and swallowed. Mature in small intestine. Can cross placenta.
HOOKWORMS: Skin penetration — bloodstream — lungs — coughed up and swallowed. Mature in small intestine. Cross placenta, mammary glands. (Cannot be seen in the stool).
THREADWORMS: Female reproduces without fertilisation — mucosa of small intestine. Gives birth to larva — like Hookworm.
WHIPWORM: Larva released in intestine, mature in lower bowel. Eggs highly resistant to environmental conditions. (Cannot be seen in the stool).
Ed note: I often have clients saying their pet has no worms because there are none appearing the stool. — Just because you don’t see them doesn't mean they are not there!
TAPE WORM: Two types: The Flea Tapeworm, because fleas ingest the eggs of this worm and when the host ingests the flea the host becomes infested with Tapeworm. The other type is obtained from eating wild animals.
"The most important aspect of Holistic Worm Treatment is the timing. The moon plays and important part in administration of anthelmintic remedies". |
Worms are more active at the Full Moon
The whole program should be repeated in three months if the owner thinks it is necessary. This program must be used in conjunction with a correct diet and a clear understanding of the re-infective process.
Adjunct therapy for worm control, consists of ensuring bedding is clean, other animals that co-habit are worm free; acknowledging that grassy dirt areas can provide re-infective areas; always be aware of problems that can be bought back into your home via other infected animals.
Puppies exercise their own worm control by eating small selected stones and (like their adult counterpart) selected grasses. It is very important that no matter what animal or bird is involved, fresh uncontaminated grass is available. If you are farming, alternate your farmed animal with a specie that "mops up" the worms e.g. goats 'mop up' worms from your beef without actually incurring cross-infection of the worm. |
