I have just wormed   our dogs and never like doing it really. It always feels a bit like a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Do any of you do worm counts? Do you feel they are reliable? And would you recommend it? 2 of my dogs have gut issues and I just feel that something more appropriate might be a good idea.

I don't know about 'worm counts' but if, like me, you don't like putting chemicals into your dog(s) unless necessary, why not have a fecal done before worming at all - at least then you know what needs to be treated (and include a test for protozoa).

Mama bas worm count is another name for faecal testing done through the company worm count. Agree best way forward to avoid unecessary use of chemicalshttp://www.myitchydog.co.uk/blog/should-you-do-a-worm-count.html

> worm count is another name for faecal testing done through the company worm count

LOL - it's never too late to learn eh.

I've used worm count in the past, maybe once or twice. It successfully picked up tapeworm in my GR and then I wormed all of the dogs. It is reliable and it isn't.... It's a snapshot of a time. So the results will either be eggs seen or eggs not seen. That doesn't mean there are no eggs, but that none were seen in that sample. But I have heard of several positives- there seemed to be a lot of lungworm positives a while back. So it does work. But to more of another tool than a fail safe method.

What I tend to do is worm count according to my dogs' behaviour and condition. If I suspect a problem, I test.

http://www.wormcount.com are brilliant. I sent my dogs' samples one day and had the results by email the next, including helpful advice when one dog tested positive.

I started to do Wormcount.com but then I heard of a friend whose dog had tested clear and tapeworm segments were then seen in his poop. 

At which point, I went back to worming every 3-5 months-ish.  Just not taking risks with things which are zoonotic (transferable to people).

Thanks for the advice folks, I will certainly consider it for the future.