Diagnosis of Roundworm in Dogs
As many of the symptoms of Roundworm are also possibly indicative of other medical conditions, there are several diagnostic procedures that may be necessary. A veterinarian may have to perform many different tests in order to form a positive diagnosis of Roundworm infection in a dog. While the most indicative sign that a dog has Roundworm is still the visible presence of worms in feces, vomit or other secretions, a veterinarian may still require diagnostic procedures.
History
When attempting to positively diagnose a dog for Roundworm, a veterinarian may ask the owner of the dog several questions. Since Roundworm is primarily obtained through exposure, it may be necessary to tell your veterinarian if your dog has been exposed to animals who could possibly be infected with Roundworm. Other factors may be important, especially if your dog is still a puppy. Puppies don't develop a strong immunity to infections such as Roundworm until they are from 3-4 months of age, so it may be necessary for a puppy's mother to be tested if a dog from her litter has Roundworm.
Physical Examination
While a visibly distended abdomen is usually only noticeable to dog owners when Roundworm is in its advanced stages, dogs with Roundworm often have a slightly enlarged belly. This will be identifiable by a veterinarian upon a physical examination. Since malnutrition may manifest in dogs infected with Roundworm, a veterinarian may also be able to identify this symptom while examining a dog.
Stool Sample
This is one of the most definitive methods to diagnose a dog for Roundworm. While there may or may not be visible Roundworms in a dog's feces, it is still possible for an infected dog to have detectable traces indicative of a Roundworm infection. However, certain types of Roundworm are not identifiable by a test of a dog's stool sample alone. In this case, other procedures will be necessary to form a positive diagnosis.
Blood Test
It is not possible to identify the type of Roundworm a dog is infected with through a blood test. However, it is still possible for the eosinophil granulocytes (white blood cells) produced by a dog's body in response to a Roundworm infection to be discovered through blood analysis. While this may also be indicative of another medical condition, it is still helpful for a veterinarian when attempting to positively diagnose a dog for Roundworm.