SEARCH
Powered by Google    Web Earth Clinic

Parasite and Worm Remedies

Updated: 09/27/2009

DISCLAIMER
* Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet's unique needs or diagnose your pet's particular medical history.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

02/11/2009: Brian from Barrie, Ontario Canada writes: "Regarding pet parasites, please purchase, "The Cure for All Disease" by Dr. Hulda Regehr Clark. This is a living manual for everyone and their pets. EVERYTHING I have tried in her book , including the Parasite Protocol for humans AND pets, has produced MORE than satisfactory results.It is the most important book I own.The herbs are easy to aquire and CHEAP !!!!!!!!!!Good Luck"

CAYENNE PEPPER AND RAW GARLIC

1 YEA

[YEA]  01/31/2007: Vince F writes: "I haven't had a lot of luck with vets, so I try home remedies when I can think of or find them. I think cayenne Might work on worms also. I think Hooks attach, and might not consume it, but it just might make the environment inhospitable. Could try it in food, but better may be in a capsule, so it released in the intestines. I have empty capsules from things I wanted to try working in my stomach, so you could empty one of things you have in capsules, to try it. I'd try it with and without salt. Don't know if salt would make a difference.

Another thing to try is garlic. I had an aquatic turtle that had a tape worm. I think I might have given it to it, by feeding it a fly I killed. They used to sell dried flies as turtle food, and I Thought I'd give it Fresh Food. (( A few days later I see a white tape coming out of it's butt. I didn't want to get near the tank, for fear I might get some water on me, and didn't know if the eggs would be floating. Called a chemist friend who had lots of pets and Asked him if he knew a remedy. Ones in pet store were for mammals, and one cap was for 2 lbs of animal, and the turtle probably weighed a few oz. He kept land tortoises, but had no idea what to try. I pestered him and he remembered that his barber told him his mom used to give them garlic to prevent worms. Had to figure how to get garlic into an aquatic turtle, and put some garlic powder wrapper in a small piece of thin, minute steak, and offered it on a tiny spatula. It ate it and the next day the tape was gone. From my experiences, I like to mix as little as possible with something I am giving, in case it gets mixed in and not as effective. When I needed to take Loads of salt to function in the heat, no matter how much I put on food, it didn't do what taking it straight with water did, so I say, keep it simple if you can when trying something. Garlic inside a capsule would be the simplest if they won't eat it, and don't give an awful lot, since it can thin the blood. "

02/07/2009: Shayanna Stene from Prince George, British Columbia/ Canada replies: "I found out on another website that Garlic can be poisonous to many types of animals like cats for example"

EC: There is a great article about this subject on our Garlic for Dogs page: http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/garlic_for_dogs.html#ARTICLE

CHEWING TOBACCO

3 YEA
1 QUESTION

[YEA]  07/31/2007: Jay from Westmoreland, TN writes: "if you can get your dog, horse, cat, etc. to eat a small pinch of chewing tobacco it will kill all parasites. The nicotine is a poison and they don't build immunities. Regular wormers have to be rotated."

[QUESTION]  01/10/2009: Darryl from Deland, Florida replies: "this is for jay. i was wondering about the chewing tobacco for worms.i would like to know how often have you tried this and does it work for whipworms? i heard some people say that it will kill the dog."

01/11/2009: Annie T from Riverside, CT replies: "Ha! More likely the additives in chewing tobacco that would kill a dog than the tobacco itself. But I don't know for sure, never heard about pure tobacco cures."

04/07/2009: Ron from Springfield, Oregon replies: "my cat seems to have a very large tape worm, asked the vet for years to treat and she said my cat was ok, then started perscribing expensive food and meds for what seems to be side effects from the worm, second vet tried the same thing, when i treat my cat with over the counter wormers all her symptems go away for a time, except the extended belly, no more wildly craving food, gulping water to keep the worm happy(i know tape worms require lots of water) no more diareaha(worm poop) no more constipation cat poop robbed of water from the worm, no more watery eyes, i do fear that the worm has gotten to large to kill, am rotating as many meds as i can and will try the tobacco (althogh have heard it only works on round worms) and garlic, already using diatamaious earth. will also try to find a vet to perscribe drontol (spelling)"

[YEA]  06/09/2009: Dee from Toronto, Ontario replies: "Hi, I would just like to say that I know a woman who takes care of the stray cats around our neighborhood. She has been de-worming the cats with tobacco for several years, and it does work. She rips off the tip of her cigarette and puts it in the cats soft food she puts out for them. My guess is that the tobacco has enough poison in it too kill off the worms, and not enough too kill the cat/dog. I don't know how good it is for animals or how much you should give them, but I will tell you that it does work."

[YEA]  07/14/2009: Kevin from Jim Thorpe, PA replies: "Lived on a boarding farm. One person who had two horses there use to give his horses chewing tobacco for worms. I lived there for three years, they always looked happy. Never saw any side effects."

09/27/2009: Ed from Charleston, Wv Usa replies: "I gave my dog some snuff in some cheese. Wondering what is the dosage time and how many times are U supposed to give it to them a day?"

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

2 YEA

[YEA]  12/23/2006: Jody from OH writes: "Dimataceous earth, not sure about the spelling on that... If you add a tbsp of dimataceous earth to an adult dog's, and a tsp to a puppy's food on a daily basis you will eliminate most parasites. You also can rub it into their fur for flea control as well. I have a kennel and have used this method for a long time and it works well."

[YEA]  07/28/2009: flicka_sugar from Pahrump, Nevada replies: "I use diatamaceous earth (or dirt as I affectionately call it) with all my animals. I have horses and cattle who get 1oz/day in the spring and fall and 2oz/day in the summer to help with fly control. The nice side benefit is I also have less problems with parasites when they are on this. I also give it to my pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, geese, alpacas, dogs, and cats. it works great and the farrier even comments on how little pest problems we have compared to other farms, which is nice to have few flies with all the animals. Also because of the effect on parasites and our local weather I only have to strongly deworm about 2x per year instead of deworming every 8 weeks for the horses and such."

GARLIC

2 YEA
1 NAY
1 BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
1 BETTER BUT NOT CURED

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  09/20/2009: Karen from Hampton, Va writes: "Cats and tape worms & fleas

I have been giving my cat a very natural garlic powder in a large amount mised in her food daily twice a day. Of course she acted the first day so childish, sitting at her bowl staring at the food and looking at me as if she was a child pouting. She walk away, but must have gotten very hungry in the night and ate it. out the next day and many days were these dried up tape worms *(which I know are shaped sort of like a grain of rice, but dried up dead as a door knob. ONLY problem was the way she must have gotten these is a friend thought he was being helpful while babysitting my inside cat by taking it outside to eat grass!

She must have gotten flea infested for we have 3 dogs next door, but the garlic didn't kill the fleas. I sent someone to buy me advantage or front-line, but I'm on short term disability and have been for awhile and can't afford. So, I got the cheaper $15 bio something for 3 mos.? Now I'm goign to try and add those 3 fresh garlic cloves minced up in a can of tuna and see what happens? Maybe with the 3 of them it will rid. I know for sue the garlic kills the ugly looking tape worms, but the fleas have to go too 'cause she just keeps licking her butt (yuck) and tail when they aren't dead and I'm sure they are still there. I washed her 3x's before trying this garlic in Adams flea N tic shampoo with NO success.......... onward I march to try the fresh garlic. thanks for home remedies!! :)"

[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS]  06/21/2009: Amanda from Surrey, BC writes: "I tried garlic on my dog and it may have expelled worms but it also dried out his beautiful shiny coat. The best way to do it is the vet med drontal but you have to deflea medication at the same time or before, cause they'll get worm parasites from the fleas right away again. I also tried the liquid med sold over counter at some pet stores 1/4 of the price and effective."

02/23/2009: Ramon - SolBlue from Syracuse, N.Y writes: "Have read some about using alittle garlic for worms Heart, Whip etc in dogs. My vet will not help after temperature taken, prostate finger exam and the physical observations of condition he is in. Because I didn't have the $355.00 for 4xrays & a blood exam. He Motley our family home member, guard, friend loving etc. had been on whip worm medication for about two months. Ran out in Sept. 08 and it is now Feb. 23, 08. The last two weeks I noticed a narrowing of his abdomen (between back of ribs too hinds legs). Kept watching with concern and he started developing a whoofing as he had at times clearing out. Although now no expulsion of yellow as when he ate grass and would clear later. So now I'm wondering if the 6"chews were causing problem. Well there has been no blood in stool, or vomiting. altough difficulty at times when excited or responding to someone at door, would start that whoofing, and a noticeable contraction moreso with the breathing and can hear the difficulty also.

So tonite Monday, feb 23, 09 I started a clove of garlic thinly sliced, brocolli steamed, left over that he does eat, 1/2cup skim milk, some chicken that was fried & has a little garlic. Mixed well together & he ate most all. 1hr later I asked him he wanted to go out and he did so. Had a good bowel/color, urinated/(has been more yellowish red?, and came in the house. So now I wait & watch. Hopefully he'll have improved physical attribute in the next day, and contiued good bowel etc. We love him mamma, I and daughter yrs.,17. Motley is a young 10yrs/young/70 dog yrs. He's has held his youth all this time. He is noticebly aging, but I know & can say he is still spirited and can move and let you know.

I'll get back here hopefully 7 let you know what occurs.
Ramon/SolBlue is my performing name Guitar/Singer/Songwriter.
Syracuse, N.Y."

01/12/2009: Don from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada writes: "Ok I just recently adopted a puppy for a local island reserve, and upon bringing him home he seemed realy happy kinda shy at first, but he plays and bites and growls and actualy uses the potty out side lol , the only thing is i noticed about 2 days ago that he threw up and there was a spegetii like worm in it and i dont realy have all the money to go take him to the vet for a check up than the deworming shots and what not so i am going to try the garlic thing as soon as possible and i will write back to let you know how it worked"

EC: Roundworms!
http://www.dr-dan.com/roundwor.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/Types-of-worms-affecting-dogs-and-puppies

[YEA]  07/21/2008: Donyale from Columbus, Ohio writes: "I have 4 wolves. One is a Timber wolf/ German Shepard. The other three are all in the high 90's as far as the wolf. Very little dog if any. About three weeks ago my husband and I thought our babies may have worms. So we took a stool sample to our vet and he told us that all four of the wolves had hookworms. The meds for all four of our wolves would have cost us $65.00 in all for all of them.Now my husband and I are not rich people so I did some nosing around on the internet and read up on Garlic cause a very wise old friend of mine once told me that Garlic can expel worms in dogs and Garlic can also prevent a worm infestation. So before I gave my wolves Garlic I looked it up on the internet and did my research. After two days of research I broke down and went to the store and bought some Fresh Garlic in clove form, came home and gave one clove each of Garlic to the wolves and in four days later in their stool were these live hookworms. Garlic will not kill the hookworms, what happens is that the Garlic cleans out the digestive track, now worms need a unclean place so they can thrive. Now by using Garlic to clean out the digestive track the worm will fall off the intestinal wall.The garlic also makes the blood of your pet taste and smell very foul. In my opinion Garlic is a wonder drug that is not only good for us humans to take daily but it works wonders for our four legged friends as well."

EC: Read much more about Garlic for Dogs here.

[NAY]  01/05/2008: Veterinarian from Greeley, Colorado writes: "I happened on to a post that suggested garlic would be a safe and effective parasite control remedy in cats. Garlic will cause a Heinz-body anemia in a cat and kill it. I don't appreciate herbal remedies -especially when there is evidence that one is ineffective or dangerous. I believe the site editor should do more research or be more responsible."

EC:

http://www.holisticat.com/garlic_arch1.html

< 23 Dec 99, From Kath >

"Yes indeed, garlic and cats? One I've toyed with long enough. Here in UK Denes, a Natural Remedy and Petfood Company, sell 'Liquid Garlic' for cats (and those others) as a flea repellant (external) and general tonic (internal). I bought some in summer to help with a severe flea infestation.

Had only used it once when I came across the feline futures article and wrote to them:

they confirmed their view that it is not such a good idea and re-directed me to: http://www.felinefuture.com/fact/nutrition/garlic.html for more information.

So I wrote to Denes www.denes.com who, extolling the virtues of garlic, replied: "... use of garlic in cats. While I appreciate your concern, I can assure you that I know of no incidences of garlic causing adverse effects in cats, when used at the recommended dose. On the contrary, there is documented and anecdotal evidence of its benefit in the management of several conditions, including skin problems, digestive disorders and respiratory problems, as well as in the prevention of endo- and ecto-parasites. Our veterinary advisor has many years of experience of using garlic successfully in his practice and I have several books that I regularly use here in the office, all of which extol the virtues of garlic in both cats and dogs. In case you would like to read any of them for yourself, the details are as follows:

FAIRGRIEVE, M. The natural way for dogs and cats. Mainstream Publishing. 1998 ALLPORT, R. Heal your cat the natural way. Mitchell Beazley. 1997 (I have the dog version, but have used the cat version) HOFFMAN, M. The doctor's book of home remedies for dogs and cats. Rodale Press Inc.1996

"The founder of our company, Buster Lloyd Jones, noticed that dogs and cats seek out those herbs that they know, instinctively, will help them when they are ill, garlic among them. However, no product, whether natural or synthetic, can be 100% safe and it should not be taken in excess and only according to manufacturer's instructions. Cats are very discerning animals and do not normally eat those plants that will do them harm. Again, they seem to have an instinct about which ones to avoid, as well as which ones will do them good. Our Liquid Garlic is for external use only and I recommend our Garlic Tablets as a daily supplement to maintain good health and repel fleas. I hope this information puts your mind at rest.

02/17/2009: Jillian from Keeseville, NY replies: "Veterinarians don't like natural remedies of course because they don't stand to make any money from them. If we all continue to educate ourselves on natural remedies they won't make anything from us anymore. Research "vaccinosis" for more information on that. After my dogs near death experience from a reaction to his rabies shot I've gone all natural with my animals food and well being. I rely on garlic for many things and have never seen such healthy, happy dogs and cats in my life I will never go to a vet again unless there are broken bones or blood. Garlic which is on the danger list for dogs is actually one of the most benificial things I have found for my pack. Not to mention my 3 cats one of which is 14 and now in perfect health but did have crystals."

EC: We love this article by Lisa Newman, ND, PH.D. that someone sent in a couple years ago: http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/garlic_for_dogs.html#ARTICLE

[YEA]  07/31/2007: JoAnn from Manassas, VA/USA writes: "My 7 year old dog (ROXANNE) had been "uncomfortable" with herself for at least 3 weeks and had been "expressing" herself by chewing her feet and humping my beds, sofas and chairs.

On ANY day, it could be successfully argued that ROXANNE is a difficult/high maintenance MUTT (Rottweiler/Russian Shepherd/Basset mix) but, THIS TIME, she kept telling me -- and I had no problem recognizing her message -- that she was actually "in stress".

*******

Initially, I attributed her discomfort to: (a) bugs (fleas and ticks -- trust me, not the problem), (b) the heat, and perhaps a rash she had developed and needed to "scratch" to the point of creating "sores" on herself; or (c) a food allergy (even though I've been feeding her "people food" -- along with her Science Diet menu -- as a TREAT ever since she was a puppy).

To these ends, I had been both showering and shampooing her (warm) and "hosing her down" (gently; cool) on a bi-daily basis (alternating between "commercial shampoo" and a baking soda/olive oil paste for relief).

In addition, I had been applying AloeVera, Olive Oil, NeoSporan and even some commercial "moisturizers" to her back and "hiney" areas (areas that seemed to be bothering her the most) on a regular basis.

***********

After all of this and just six (6) days ago, she FINALLY squatted and rubbed her hiney on a patch of grass. My reaction:

Oh, my God! (and OK) She's got WORMS! (poor baby, but "fixable" and controllable!)

***********

My Grandmother (God rest her soul) actually bred/raised cocker and springer spaniels in her NYC apartment during the 1930's and 1940's. In addition, she would "rescue" any/all strays that may come her way until the day she died (1985).

And one of the most significant (albeit basic) things she ever taught me about treating a dog with parasitic WORMS was to somehow get GARLIC into that dog's system (I know not about cats in this regard, but I can't see any reason why my Grandmother's "formula" wouldn't "work" for cats, too).

***********

Day 1: I didn't have any clove garlic on hand, so I sprinked powdered garlic over ground beef ("hamburger meat"), cooked it, and fed it to ROXANNE (along with the same carrots, potatoes and peas I had earlier served to my own family).

After HOURS, there was no "appreciable" result.

Day 2: I purchased a GARLIC bulb at my local supermarket, took it home, broke it up, and BOILED 3 cloves in a nominal amount of water, sliced the cloves up, and poured the liquid over a couple of cans of commercial dog food.

And while ROXANNE gobbled up the meal, after HOURS of waiting, there was still no "appreciable" result.

Day 3: I was at my wits end, but totally believed that my Grandmother had told me TRUE about what to do (naturally) if/when a dog was experiencing this particular kind of "distress".

And so I boiled 2 more GARLIC cloves and, along with an approximate 1 T. of ground GARLIC, poured a "mixture" (which included this approx. 1/2 cup of water -- garlic cloves removed -- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream, 1/4 cup Half & Half and a can of Evaporated Milk into a bowl snd simply served it to her (cooled)).

Day 3 -- LATE NITE. ROXANNE awakens me, and tells me it is URGENT that she go outside and (very) reluctantly, I abide/consent/concede and respond to her "signal".

And, in retrospect, I am REALLY glad I did.

Because not only did ROXANNE "poop" like she had never done before (meaning 3 times, in various locations along our "path") but, when I "picked it up" (as is required by law) and "inspected" it (YUK! EWWW! and all of that), there were not only 2 really "super long" (but DEAD!) WORMS evident in her "elimination", but also evidence of "smaller" parasites ("white things") that had not survived our GARLIC onslaaught.

*******

Day 4:

ROXANNE SLEPT for a really long time for her (perhaps 6 hours straight) after that particular "elimination experience".

But what was most STRIKING (to me, at least) is that, when she did eventually wake up from her nap, she was TOTALLY the smiling (yes, she DOES smile), dysfunctional (in so many ways, I just can't tell you!) MUTT (Rottweiler/Russian Shepherd/Bassett mix) I would do ANYTHING for (as she would do for me, I have NO doubt).

Day 4-6 (meaning, to present):

FINALLY, SHE was able to SLEEP. And therefore, so was I!

And FINALLY (and once again), it became a pleasurable experience (as far as I can take that) to "deal" with ROXANNE.

We (me and ROXANNE) have had 2 "good days" now.

And (optimist I usually am not), I am actually looking forward to many, many more days of ROXANNE being happily "cured".

*******

Make no mistake: I will continue to watch for any/all other symptoms of ROXANNE's discomfort.

But as of right now, I feel pretty comfortable that her "problem" has been FIXED.

And I feel pretty stongly that's that's on account of GARLIC having been significantly imposed on her diet over the course of no fewer than 3 consecutive days.

********

IMO (and experience), my ROXANNE is perfectly imperfect.

It's been a difficult couple of weeks, but (especially after our most recent "trials"), I cannot thank my Grandmother (or GARLIC) enough -- specifically because, on account of ROXANNE feeling better, I, too, have been sleeping better and am feeling a whole lot better about a whole number of things now."

05/31/2008: Janna from Cheboygan, Michigan replies: "What was all the cream for in the garlic mixture? Just to get her to eat it? Sorry, I'm just curious. :)"

09/04/2008: Lisa from East Providence, RI replies: "

Re:

05/31/2008: Janna from Cheboygan, Michigan replies: "What was all the cream for in the garlic mixture? Just to get her to eat it? Sorry, I'm just curious. :)"

I'M GUESSING THAT MAYBE THAT, AND MAYBE THE CREAM/MILK MIXTURE WAS TO MAKE HER "GO"....YOU KNOW, HAVE AN URGENT B.M.?"

09/19/2008: Kori from Greensboro, NC replies: "Thanks for the suggestion to use garlic for parasites in dogs. I will give it a try."

04/08/2009: LC from Brooks, Alberta, Canada replies: "I am very happy to have found this website. I am curious about the garlic treatment for the parisitic dog. Would something like this work for a horse as well? Also, how much water for 3 cloves of garlic? Thanks."

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT FOR LICE

1 YEA

[YEA]  03/08/2009: Becky from Reno, Nevada U.S.A. writes: "I have a litter of Yorkies.They are 4 weeks old.Somehow they got lice.I searched for a week to find something that was safe to use on them.I found your web site it said to use GSE grapefruit seed extract. I put 8 drops in 3 ounces of mild shampoo. Then I soaped them up and wrapped them in a towel making sure they stayed warm. After 5 minutes I rinsed them in warm water and watched the lice go down the drain. After they were dry. I combed the puppies to get the rest of the dead ones off of them. From what I have read I learned nothing kills the eggs. So I will repeat the bath every 6 or 7 days untill I am sure there are no eggs left. What a wonderful web site this is. I was amazed at the results of the GSE. Thank You Thank You Thank You"

PUMPKIN SEEDS

09/22/2008: Melissa from Honolulu, HI writes: "Has anyone tried pumpkin seeds because they work to get rid of parasites in Humans.. but could pumpkin seeds be in any way harmful to dogs?"

READER FEEDBACK

09/26/2008: Cheryl from Centerton, Arknsas writes: "My dogs have whip worms it is the same symptoms as parvo. There is no cure for whip worms but they are not caused by fleas, its by eating, smelling other dog poop that has been infected with them. They cannot be seen by the naked eye only by microscope. The vet told me to clean dog poop everyday and spray my yard with bleach to help keep them from getting infected that is they are in a fenced yard."

EC: Actually, you can get rid of whipworms with the correct medication.

"Whipworm infestation is detectable by stool examination, which can detect eggs and charcot-leyden crystals. Mebendazole is 90% effective in the first dose, and albendazole may also be offered as an anti-parasitic agent." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipworm

 

 

Did one of these remedies work for you?
Have another suggestion for us?
PLEASE SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK!