Intestinal Parasites in Dogs

Disease caused by intestinal parasites in dogs, demands immediate medical attention as it is not a mild disorder that is usually found in pets. The disease has been known to cause severe turmoils in dogs' health and also have resulted in deaths of puppies and even adult dogs. These parasites (worms), if left untreated at an early stage, may cause other infections in your pet due to bacteria.

There are certain intestinal parasites in dogs, which infect humans also. These intestinal parasites put small children at a higher risk than adults. They are easily transmittable, so if there are other pets at home, they would also require treatment along with the diagnosed dog. Common intestinal parasites found in dogs are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, coccidiosis and giardiasis.

Symptoms of Intestinal Parasites in Dogs
The first symptom of intestinal parasites in dogs that you may notice is severe itching, which normally causes dogs to bite their rear ends repeatedly. This itching is due to female worms, eggs and larvae that are expelled out of the anus. This causes acute discomfort in pets. These intestinal parasites feed on the nutrients that the dogs ingest. So, when dogs are infested by these parasites, they drastically lose weight and in due time develop a bulgy stomach. This appearance of dogs may be mistaken to be a sign of being fat and healthy. However, a closer observation reveals their ribs and hip bones getting prominent. The reason for swelling of the belly is due to gas caused by these dog worms. Another significant symptom of the disease is large or tiny worms that may be noticed in the droppings of dogs. Blood in the stool is associated with severe symptoms of intestinal parasites in dogs. Diarrhea, vomiting, poor hair growth, listlessness and anorexia (a prolonged disorder of eating due to loss of appetite) are other symptoms that dogs might suffer from.

Prevention and Treatment of Intestinal Parasites in Dogs
To keep track if your dog is infected by any intestinal parasites, fecal examination every 6 - 12 months is a must. Choose areas for your pet to exercise, which is not usually frequented by other animals. Prevent your dog from coming in contact with rodents like mice, rats, rabbits, etc. to prevent infestation of fleas. Newly born puppies are more vulnerable to be infected by intestinal parasites. So it is important for female pets to be dewormed before breeding and even after whelping. This reduces the risk of infection in puppies. There are specific dewormers available for the type of parasites (worms) that infest the pets. This is usually determined by microscopic fecal examination. It is advisable to consult a vet regarding medicines for deworming, as not all dewormers may be effective.

Common Types of Worms in Dogs

Roundworms
Roundworms are the most common types of internal parasites in dogs and cats; especially puppies and kittens. They might appear in droppings or vomit of the pets. To prevent further infestation, feces need to be disposed off for next one week. The worms might reappear in the stool after few days of treatment.

Hookworms
Hookworms are also one of the common parasites in dogs. These worms are blood suckers and are known to cause acute anemic conditions mostly in young or weak dogs and cats. These worms may be noticed in the stools before and after administration of dewormers.

Whipworms
Whipworms are not contagious from the mother's milk to the offspring, nor can they be transmitted to humans. Ingestion of whipworm eggs are responsible for these type of intestinal parasites in dogs. Proper sanitation is required to get rid of whipworms. These worms are sometimes difficult to be diagnosed.

Tapeworms
Accidental ingestion of fleas is commonly responsible for tapeworms in pets. Tapeworms in dogs may be noticed as tiny segments that may look like grains of rice near the rectum area or in the stool. Avoiding exposure to fleas help in the prevention against tapeworms.

Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis are small protozoans that cause infection in puppies mainly due to unsanitary conditions. Pets having low immune power are more susceptible to these kinds of intestinal parasites. As puppies age, they tend to develop natural immunity against coccidiosis and suffer from no ill effects when they become adults.

Giardiasis
Giardiasis is caused due to giardia which is a one cell parasite named protozoa. It usually infects the small intestine of animals. Humans can also be infected by giardiasis by drinking contaminated water. Giardiasis in dogs usually carry no symptoms or signs of dog illnesses, and is difficult to diagnose. Different vets use different treatments for these kinds of intestinal parasites in dogs.

Taking care of your pet's health can prevent any kind of illnesses in your pet. Maintaining proper grooming and hygienic conditions helps in the prevention of diseases caused due to the above intestinal parasites in dogs. Adequate dog care and attention is also required to keep your pet in good shape. Owning dogs or any other kinds of pets is a responsible job, and giving them the amount of care and love they need, makes the job a rewarding one too!