Parasites
Flea, ticks and parasites are no fun for an owner, and quite unpleasant for the dog. Knowing the basic signs and symptoms can help you catch any potential issues and prevent medical problems.
Below are some of the most common parasites.
Intestinal Worms
While many worms affect dogs differently, there are some general basics that apply to any intestinal worms:
Getting the worms. Any intestinal worm is acquired through the ingestion of eggs or infested materials, or through coming into contact with infested dirt, feces, food, water, or eating wildlife.
They symptoms are often similar. Some worms feed on the dog's food, others on the dog's blood, but all are robbing the dog of vital nutrients and can cause the following symptoms: Diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, potbelly, weight loss, poor coat appearance, vomiting, blood in stool.
Treatment is almost always one or several doses of an oral de-wormer medication.
Puppies are more at risk of both contracting worms, and having more severe health issues as a result of the worms.
Round Worms
Roundworms are the most common intestinal worm found in dogs. roundworms can be seen in vomit or stool, resembling spaghetti.
Tape Worms
Tapeworms attach to the dog's intestinal wall. They do not usually cause major health concerns, but can cause blockages. They are flat and made up of segments, that break off and can be seen in the dogs feces. The segments look like grains of rice, and you may even see your dog "scooting".
Hook Worms
Hookworms live in the digestive tract, and can travel to the lungs, causing coughing in some dogs. Hookworms are very small and are not seen easily in the dogs feces.
Whip Worms
Whipworms live in the lower intestines and colon. Whipworms are rarely visible. The major symptom is bloody stool but in many cases there are no symptoms.
Heart Worms
Heartworms are a very serious parasite that can cause lung, heart, and other organ damage, and even death.
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes that transmit the eggs when they bite an animal.
Symptoms include no symptoms, cough, lethargy, easily tired, sickly appearance, and trouble breathing.
Diagnosis can be made through a blood test. Treatment is harsh on dogs, can cause complications, and is expensive. The best treatment is prevention!
Other "non-worm" parasites
Coccidia and Giardia: although different, both coccidia and giardia are single-celled organisms that live in a dog's digestive tract. They are contracted through feces, often from feces-contaminated water sources. Both can cause diarrhea and dehydration. Treatment is an oral medication.
