Worms
and Intestinal Parasites In Dogs by Kirsten
Hawkins
Dogs (and cats) often fall victim to several common intestinal
parasites known as worms. There are a large number of different types
of intestinal worms, but dogs are most commonly affected by tapeworms,
roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. These parasites live in the
digestive tract (most commonly in the intestines) where they feed on
nutrients, robbing the dog of the nutrition it takes in. Worm
infestations can cause a variety of undesirable symptoms including
vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a generally poor appearance.
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How do Dogs Get Worms?
There are a number of ways that a dog can wind
up with an infestation of any of these types of intestinal
parasites. An animal infested with any of these types
of worms may pass the worms' eggs in its feces. This
is a strong argument for picking up after your pet
as often as possible and not allowing your dog to
eat feces (something dogs will do) whenever you can.
Tapeworm eggs can be spread by fleas. Fleas eat the
eggs (quite a delicacy to a flea) and then pass them
to a dog when biting it. Some roundworms will lie
dormant in the body of a pregnant dog and activate
just before it gives birth. The activated worms make
their way into the intestines of the unborn puppies
where they will thrive after the pups are born. |
Detecting Worms in Dogs
Worm infestations can be difficult to detect. While some
worms may be passed in the feces, betraying their presence,
it is uncommon. If a dog is displaying symptoms that may
indicate the presence of worms, a vet should be consulted.
A stool sample will be examined for the presence of worm
eggs (these are microscopic) and a medication called a "wormer" will
be prescribed. Stool samples are often collected as part
of a routine dog physical examination in order to check for
the presence of worms. In the case of tapeworms, discarded
tapeworm segments may be visible in the dog's feces or attached
to the fur around the anus or under the tail. To the naked
eye these may look like small bits of white rice.
Treating Dogs for Worms
When a dog is found to have an infestation of worms, it
should be prescribed a wormer immediately by a vet. Depending
on the severity of the infestation, the type of worms, and
the likelihood of re-infestation, the treatment may need
to be repeated one or several times. There are over-the-counter
wormers available, but most vets do not recommend them because
they are necessarily weaker and may not kill all types of
worms and their eggs.
Intestinal worms can cause numerous health problems for
dogs, up to and including death in extreme cases. Taking
measures to prevent infestation, detect it as quickly as
possible, and treat it accordingly can help keep your dog
safe from these harmful parasites.
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for
more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog
travel.
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