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Fleas, ticks and worms in dachshunds

External and internal parasites, including fleas, ticks, roundworms, tapeworms and lungworms, can cause irritation, systemic illness and life-threatening complications. Dachshunds encounter these parasites through soil, wildlife and vegetation, making regular veterinary prevention programmes necessary to protect health.

Signs to look for

Frequent scratching, biting at the coat or persistent itching
Tiny black specks in the fur that turn reddish-brown when wet
Visible parasites attached to the skin or moving through the hair
Coughing, wheezing, breathlessness or tiring easily on walks
Unexplained weight loss despite a normal appetite
Visible worm segments around the tail or in the stool

What you can do at home

Wash bedding regularly on a hot wash cycle
Comb through fur with a fine-toothed flea comb
Inspect the skin, ears and paws thoroughly after woodland walks
Clean up and dispose of garden waste and faeces promptly

Call the vet when

Coughing, rapid breathing, or signs of respiratory distress
Pale gums, severe weakness or abnormal lethargy
Heavy parasite infestation in a young puppy
Raw, infected or bleeding skin lesions caused by constant scratching

Prevention

Follow a structured veterinary parasite prevention plan year-round
Check paws and underbellies carefully after walks in long grass
Prevent scavenging of rodents, snails, slugs or raw animal waste
Keep household living and sleeping quarters clean and hoovered

Why dachshunds in particular

Because dachshunds have short legs, their chests, bellies and low-hanging ears brush directly against undergrowth, grass and damp soil. This low posture increases their contact with ticks, flea eggs and snail trails that carry lungworm larvae.

Sources

General information in our own words. It does not replace advice from your own vet.

Facts are cited and rewritten in our own words. All sources and how we use them.