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Parasites
Parasites fall
into two groups: internal and external. This page covers internal parasites
and protozoa: please go to our dermatology page for external parasites (fleas, ticks and mites).
Heartworms
are the most serious of common parasites for dogs because they stress it’s
heart by restricting blood flow and damaging other internal organs. Without
treatment, the disease can be fatal. Since heartworms are spread by more than
22 different kinds of mosquitoes, every dog is at risk. Weather variability,
means that heartworms pose a threat year-round. You must have your (each)
pet checked before any medication is begun or dispensed.
Treatment: Two protocols - both monthly:
- 1. Oral Monthly:
in the form of a pleasant tasting chewable tablet which also controls certain
internal parasites. Test for heartworm first.
- 2. Topical
Monthly: such as Revolution. Test for heartworm first.
Pets testing
positive for heartworm are treated with injectable heartworm adulticide,
after extensive evaluation of blood chemistry values, chest x-rays and electrocardiogram
(ECG).
Hookworms
are parasites that attach to the intestinal wall and suck blood. If left untreated,
hookworms cause intestinal bleeding, anemia and diarrhea in your dog. As few
as 100 hookworms can kill a puppy.
Treatment: oral medication at repeated
intervals. Remove feces from your pet's environment.
Roundworms
are the most common parasite. Most puppies are born infected with this parasite:
the larvae penetrate the small intestine and are carried in the blood to the
liver, lungs and other internal organs where they may lie dormant. The larval
migration eventually brings them into the intestinal tract where they mature
to adults capable of reproducing and shedding eggs in the feces. In pregnancy,
the roundworms migrate to the lungs of developing puppies and into the mother’s
milk, repeating the life cycle. Older dogs can pick up an infection from contaminated
soil.
Treatment: oral medication at repeated
intervals. Remove feces from your pet's environment.
Whipworms
are one of the most difficult parasites to eradicate in dogs, since female
whipworms can produce up to 2,000 eggs a day. The eggs lie in the dog’s
feces and can survive in the soil for years, even in the coldest climates.
Approximately one out of every seven unprotected dogs is afflicted.
Treatment: oral medication at repeated
intervals. Remove feces from your pet's environment.
Tapeworms
There are many different species of tapeworms. Fleas are involved in the life
cycle and transmission of the tapeworm known as Dipylidium caninum in dogs.
Rodents and rabbits are carriers of the Tenea species of tapeworms. Tapeworms
are made up of many flat segments similar in appearance to grains of rice
and can be seen intermittently in the bowel movements.
Treatment: oral medication at repeated
intervals. Flea control and avoid wildlife consumption.
Giardia
are parasites that invade a dog’s gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhea,
dehydration and intestinal cramping. Dogs can become infected by drinking
contaminated water and fecal exposure.
Treatment: oral medication. Remove feces
from your pet's environment.
Coccidia
are protozoan parasites the eggs of which are spread through fecal contamination.
Both cats and dogs are susceptible to this parasite. Clinical signs include
mucoid and bloody diarrhea.
Treatment: oral medication and remove
feces from your pet's environment.
Toxoplasmosis
is a protozoan parasite acquired either by eating raw meat or through fecal
contamination. Clinical signs are varied and depend upon the organ system
involved. Cat feces may harbor this organism: accordingly pregnant women should
not clean cat litter boxes because infection by this organism can cause miscarriage.
Treatment: oral medication.
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