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EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL PARASITES
| ROUNDWORM | HOOKWORM | TAPEWORM | WHIPWORM | HEARTWORM |
| TRICHINELLA | GIARDIA | |||
| KENNEL COUGH | HOT SPOTS | |||
| FLEAS | TICKS | EAR MITE | LICE | |
| DEMODEX | CHERRY EYE | ENTROPION |
EXTERNAL PARASITE
Ear mites are an external parasite that can infect dogs, cats (and more rarely, humans).
The Latin name for mite is Otodectes cynotis.
Otodectes cynotis is the most common ear mite. It usually lives in the ears and on
the head of affected animals but sometimes live on the body of the animal. It is
contagious and the presence of the mites can cause severe inflammation in affected
pet's ears. (Ear mites are not the only cause of ear disease. Your pet should be
examined to determine if ear mites are present prior to treatment.)
Otodectes mites are large enough that they can sometimes be seen with a naked eye and
are easy to be seen with a magnification glass. Ear mites live in the ears and on the
skin of pets infected with them. The mite lives its entire life on the pet and it takes
about 3 weeks for a mite egg to develop into an adult mite. The adult mites are very mobile
and can live for some time off of a pet, which enables it to be fairly contagious.
The most common sign of ear mite infection is shaking of the head and ears. Dogs may also
scratch at their ears, rub their face and in severe cases may even cause bleeding sores behind
their ears in their effort to relieve the discomfort from the mites. The intense itching
associated with these mites is thought to be due to a hypersensitivity reaction, which is
similar to an allergy. Some pets can be infected without showing signs of itching or head
shaking, apparently because they don't develop the hypersensivity reaction.
Dark brown to black debris accumulates in the ears of infected pets and the mites may be
visible as small moving white specks on the debris. Secondary infection with bacteria or
yeast is common in ear mite infections and may complicate the diagnosis. The mites can live
on the skin and some pets appear to have infections that affect only the skin, causing
small sores to develop in affected areas.
There are a number of causes of ear infection in dogs and it is best to have your vet
examine your dog's ears to determine if the cause of ear irritation is ear mites or another
infection. Doing this can save your dog from weeks of pain or discomfort.
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EYE CONDITION
Prolapsed third eyelid
A prolapsed gland of the third eyelid (or "cherry eye") is thought to be associated
with a laxity of a small ligament which holds the gland in a normal position behind
the third eyelid. The gland is a tear producing gland, and produces about 30% of
the tears, while the main orbital lacrimal gland produces the rest. Dogs that have
had the gland of the third eyelid surgically excised have a greater risk of development
of a dry eye (KCS ) than dogs with intact third eyelid glands. It is thought that should
the main orbital lacrimal gland be damaged later in life that there is no "back-up" for
tear production. Dry eye is a serious eye condition that is difficult to treat, and
requires lifelong treatment which may be costly. If the chance of the development of
a dry eye can be lessened by tacking the gland back into a normal position so that it
stays functional, then this is the most desirable way of handling "cherry eye".
The tacking surgery, done by a experienced practitioner or a veterinary ophthalmologist
has a re-occurrence rate of only 5 to 10%. The tacking surgery is certainly more expensive
than surgery to excise the gland, but the cost of treating a dry eye in consultations
and medication is much higher.
The condition needs to be treated. The longer the gland sits in an abnormal position
the greater risk that the gland will undergo damage, and not be fully functional when it
is tacked back into place.
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EXTERNAL PARASITE
SEE PHOTO
Demodex is not a genetic disease. Demodex mites feed on systemic yeast, dietary
yeast and/or sugar in the system. Demodex mites take advantage of an immature or lowered
immune system, which is why the very young get it, and sometimes the very old, or ill. A dog's
immune system is usually not mature until at least one year of age. This is only one reason why
it is not advisable to breed dogs younger than 12 - 18 months.
Demodex mites are living in just about every dog, deep within the hair follicles. When pups are
nursing, the mites migrate from the mother to the pups. This is why the most common areas to show
demodex are first on the face, head and front paws, then migrating to every other area of the body.
When the immune system is maturing, but battling to keep the mites in balance, you can sometimes
see hairless patches appearing and disappearing on different parts of the body. It may even progress
to the point where the mites colonize and erupt on the surface, making the skin look pimply or rashy.
Suggestion is dabbing lemon juice or apple cider vinegar on the spots. The vinegar will keep the
odor down from any secondary staph infection. Yeast ears will commonly be a problem during this battle.
Some vets may suggest that demodex is genetic. Reasoning for this may be:
Veterinarians may not understand what genetic means. Demodex is not in a pet's genetic make-up.
The immune system is a living thing that can be raised or suppressed, it is not fixed.
They may not understand the life of a demodex mite and how the body can be helped to fight it off
on it's own, without toxins taken internally and applied externally which have long-lasting, detrimental
effects.
They may not have enough canine nutritional knowledge to understand the role that diet has on the immune
system and therefore the demodectic mite. Generations of being fed kibble may wear down the immune system
of each successive generation until today you hear about demodectic puppies all the time. You can take
a dam who has produced an entire litter of demodectic pups put her on a grain less raw diet with
supplementation for a year, breed her again and she will not produce any demodex in the subsequent litter.
Now that we have established that demodex most likely is not genetic, let me say that as I understand it,
it is "congenital" in that a sub-standard immune system is passed on from the mother to the pups,
and the mites migrate to the pups from the mom shortly after birth. After generations of being fed kibble,
which is a "dead" food, the mother will have little immunity to pass onto her pups, and she will harbor
plenty of demodectic mites in her pores ready to migrate to the pups. That is the sum total of the relationship
between demodectic mites and how it is "inherited" from the mom by her pups.
How To Treat Mites Naturally
So, your pet has demodex and you don't know what to do about it? Can it be treated naturally? YES!
In fact, I would highly recommend it. The conventional path may be highly toxic and can keep your
pet's immune system weakened for life. Feed an anti-yeast diet. Mites feed on the yeast living in
the body, and systemic yeast feed on nutritional yeast and sugars (carbohydrates). If you break the
cycle, you weaken or starve the systemic yeast and the mites are not able to colonize in the pores.
This is the reason for a grain less diet (ESPECIALLY NO WHEAT OR YEAST OF ANY KIND) with only meat,
bones and low glycemic fruits and veggies -- in other words, only foods that do not readily
turn to sugar in the system.
Typically the dog will go through a "healing crisis" for a day or two. This healing crisis may
include fever, eye exudate, mucus from the nose, yeast ears (use Ear Wash & Dry), itchy skin eruptions
(Aller'g Free, Dermaplex Shampoo and Rejuva Spray helps).
Vaccinations until the crisis is under control are not recommended. You may want to explain to
your veterinarian that you want a health waiver until the pup is clear of demodex for at least 2 - 3
months. It states on the vaccine vials that they should ONLY be given to healthy animals.
Since demodex can be life threatening, you cannot damage
the immune system further with vaccinations.
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EYE CONDITION
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Entropion is an abnormal "in-rolling" of the eyelid. This in-rolling causes the hairs of
the eyelid to abrade the surface of the eye (most commonly the lower lid.)This irritates
the surface of the eye (the cornea) and may ultimately cause visual impairment.
Entropion is a common hereditary disorder in dogs. Selection for a particular conformation,
of exaggerated facial features with prominent eyes and/or heavy facial folds, has created
or worsened this problem in many breeds.
What causes entropion?
Entropion is usually due to an inherited faulty eyelid conformation that manifests in young
adult dogs. Occasionally, entropion results from an eyelid spasm due to some other painful
eye condition. Ectropion is influenced by several genes (polygenic inheritance) that
affect the skin and other structures that make up the eyelids, the way the skin covers
the face and head, and the conformation of the skull.
The problem is usually evident before a year of age. Discomfort from entropion will cause
increased tearing and squinting. Your dog may be sensitive to light and may rub at its eyes.
Chronic irritation by the turned-in eyelid may cause corneal ulceration and scarring which
is painful and, if not corrected, can impair vision.
Dogs who have had surgical correction for a defect such as entropion may not be exhibited
in the show ring.
What breeds are affected by entropion?
This problem occurs in many breeds. It is particularly severe in the Mastiff, Bullmastiff,
Shar pei, and Chow Chow.
Entropion is common in giant breeds such as the Great Dane, Bernese Mountain Dog, Mastiff,
Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Pyrenees. In these breeds the central lower lid is
often ectropic while the lid at the corners of the eye is entropic.
For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or
the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive.
How is entropion diagnosed?
The inrolling of the eyelid is readily apparent. Generally both eyes are affected. Depending
on the degree of corneal irritation and the duration, there will be other signs such as those
mentioned above. Your veterinarian will evaluate the degree of entropion and use flourescein dye
to determine if there is any corneal ulceration.
How is entropion treated?
Entropion is corrected surgically. If possible it is best to delay surgery until the dog
is an adult since the involved facial structures are still growing and changing.
More than 1 operation may be required. It is better to correct the entropion conservatively
and repeat the operation later if necessary, than to overcorrect causing ectropion. In breeds
such as the Chow Chow that have particularly severe entropion related to heavy facial folds,
several surgeries may be required.
Breeding advice
Entropion is one of the eye conditions that is a result of selection by breeders and
a demand by the public for such features as excessively prominent eyes and heavy facial folds.
A responsible breeding programme will choose animals for breeding with a more normal head
conformation, so as to select away from these exaggerated facial features and the problems
associated with them.
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EXTERNAL PARASITE
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External parasites are generally found on or in the skin and are important pests because
they bite or annoy both humans and their pets. Fleas, mange mites, and ticks are the most
frequently encountered and most troublesome pests that attack humans and their pets.
Fleas are small (1/16"), dark, reddish-brown, wingless, blood-sucking insects. Their
bodies are laterally compressed, (i.e., flattened side to side) permitting easy movement
through the hairs on the host's body. Their legs are long and well adapted for jumping.
The flea body is hard, polished, and covered with many hairs and short spines directed backward.
The mouthparts of an adult flea are adapted for sucking blood from a host.
Several species of fleas may be pests in Florida, and five kinds have been found on a single animal.
The cat flea ( Figure 1 ) is the most frequently found flea, although the dog, human, and sticktight
fleas are also found in Florida. Fleas may attack a wide variety of warm-blooded animals including
dogs, humans, chickens, rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice.
Pet Treatment
Flea collars are sold under several trade names and are sometimes effective on small, short-haired
dogs or cats that are not subjected to flea-infested areas.
Other treatments are usually necessary to supplement flea collars on large, long-haired pets that are
allowed freedom outdoors. Also, some pets may be allergic to flea collars. Ultrasonic flea collars have
not been found to kill or repel fleas.
Veterinarians may prescribe or apply pesticides not available over the counter. Oral flea medication
prescribed by veterinarians has provided control of fleas when pets are not allowed outdoors and
effective flea control is accomplished in the house and yard. Topical or spot treatment has provided
effective residual control.
Pets may be combed or shampooed frequently to remove adult fleas before they can irritate the pet
or lay eggs. Frequent removal of fleas can quite effectively reduce flea infestations.
To be certain pets remain free of fleas, it is necessary to make routine use of flea control products,
especially if pets are allowed to contact infested animals or premises.
Dust treatments should be applied carefully and rubbed into the fur working from the head to the tail.
Special attention should be given to the top of the head, the neck, and the back. Apply treatments
outdoors so fleas that leave the animals do not remain indoors.
Premise Treatment
Pets become reinfected with fleas from premises. For the most effective control, sleeping areas,
bedding kennels, and other areas frequented by the animal should be treated at the time the pet
treatment is made. Treatments may or may not include the use of pesticides.
Nonpesticidal premise control includes thorough and frequent cleaning of the house. All rugs should
be thoroughly cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a steam cleaner. Infested furniture, pet baskets,
and cracks should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent the larvae from finding food. Dirt which is collected
should be disposed of immediately to destroy fleas and flea larvae.
Many people remove pets from the home to attempt flea control. Flea infestations usually become more
evident when pets are removed. Although, the hungry adult fleas prefer to feed on cats and dogs,
when the pet is removed, the fleas overrun the home, frequently attacking humans. Dogs and cats can
be used to attract fleas from the premises. Recommended pet treatments at frequent intervals can be
used to kill the fleas.
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are the most effective chemicals and are found in some indoor, space,
and surface treatments. Common IGRs are methoprene, hydroprene, and piriproxyfen. These may be used in
conjunction with residual sprays to quickly reduce adult populations. IGRs prevent flea larvae from
turning into adults, and have a residual effect of almost three months. For IGR applications to be
effective, pets must not be allowed access to heavily infested areas outdoors; otherwise adult fleas
will constantly be carried indoors by the pet.
Insecticides should be applied inside the house carefully as light, spot treatments to areas where
fleas are known to be hiding. These can be applied indoors as crack and crevice or surface treatments.
For heavy infestations indoors, or when egg masses of ticks hatch, space sprays can be applied to
give quick knockdown. Outdoors, infested areas should be treated by applying a broadcast treatment
of insecticide to the landscape. Special effort should be given in treating areas frequented by pets.
Applications at 2-4 week intervals may be necessary to eliminate the ticks. Pets should be kept off
treated surfaces until dry. Apply products according to label directions. Do not apply these products
directly to pets.
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(INTERNAL PARASITE)
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This parasite causes a number of visible symptoms including enteritis and diarrhea;
unfortunately puppies are especially affected.
There is a human form of this parasite and the resulting symptoms are the same.
Whether the canine and human varieties of the Giardia parasite are the same of if it
is communicable between dogs and humans is not established. If your dog presents these
symptoms you should take it to the veterinarian so the correct medication can be administered.
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(INTERNAL PARASITE)
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As they are mosquito borne the Heartworm parasite is particularly dangerous.
Heartworms are true worms. They are 6-13 inches long and an grow into foot long worms that lodge
themselves in the right ventricle of the heart of animals and in the great blood vessels around the heart.
These worms are specifically adapted to live in the dog heart and do not survive well in the heart of other species.
Once they have attached themselves to your dog's heart they cause a lot of damage to the heart as well
as the lungs. If left untreated a heartworm infestation will be deadly.
Heartworms are killers. Heartworms can kill their host animal in a variety of ways. Some dogs
will have an allergic type reaction to the foreign material in the heart and vessels. Sometimes
there are enough worms to actually clog up the blood vessels and valves. Occasionally we see
an immune mediated disease (like Lupus or various blood abnormalities) secondary to the heartworm
presence and constant stimulation of the immune system. Heartworms can break apart and cause clots
and stroke-like symptoms. But most commonly, heartworms cause congestive heart failure, which leads
to a slower, chronic disease and eventually death.
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworms reproduce in the dog's body and microscopic
larval forms then circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito takes a blood meal, some of these larval
forms go into the mosquito. These larvae have to develop in the mosquito for about 3 weeks, at which time
the mosquito can pass the infective heartworm larvae to a new host.
All heartworm preventatives work the same way. All currently marketed heartworm preventatives act
by killing the larval heartworms before they mature to adults.
Heartworm disease is treatable in the dog. Heartworms are difficult to kill, but there are medications
available to successfully treat heartworm infection. The treatment involves killing these very large
parasites inside of blood vessels and severe side effects, including death, do occur. The treatment
for heartworm infection is expensive, involves a hospital stay and the complications from treatment
can be serious. If the animal has advanced signs of heartworm disease or if it carries a large number
of heartworms, the risk of complications from treatment are greater.
Heartworms are more prevalent in some areas than others. Heartworms are likely to be found wherever
there are mosquitoes. Therefore, locations near water are likely to have a higher incidence of heartworm
disease. However, be aware that mosquitoes do travel long distances and can infect individuals anywhere along
their path. Your dog does not have to be swimming regularly to get infected. Even indoor pets get infected
because mosquitoes do get in the house.
Cats can get heartworm disease. On occasion, a cat can become infected with heartworms. Normally, their
immune system will kill the larvae before they develop into adults. However, if a larvae is able to mature,
one or a few heartworms may complete their development into adults. They are not well adapted to the cat
and if the cat survives for longer than 2 years, the heartworms will die on their own and the cat may self cure.
There is no currently recommended treatment for heartworm disease in the cat. Heartworm preventative is available.
Heartworm testing is recommended yearly. All dogs should be tested (a simple blood test) on an annual basis
for heartworm disease, even if they are on preventative medication. Heartworm preventatives do not kill adult
heartworms.
All currently marketed heartworm preventatives are effective. Your choice of preventative should be based on
convenience, ease of administration, additional parasite control needed, how the pet tolerates the medication,
and your budget.
Humans can become infected with heartworms. Although this is an uncommon event, people that are immune
suppressed (for example cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or AIDS patients) are at risk for contracting
heartworm disease. The source of infection is the infected mosquito.
Please consult your veterinarian about Heartworm Prevention.
- HeartGard Plus (Ivermectin/Pyrantal) [Oral]
- Revolution (Selamectin) [Topical]
- Interceptor (Milbemycin) [Oral]
- Sentinel (Milbemycin/Lufenuron) [Oral]
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(INTERNAL PARASITE)
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The Hookworm is a small and thin blood sucking parasite that attaches to the walls of your dog's
small intestines. Hookworm are more serious and can be fatal.
Some of the common symptoms of hookworms are diarrhea, anemia, white gums, listlessness, and bloody stool.
Hookworms should be dealt with promptly and the standard prescription calls for a deworming medicine.
Dogs get hookworm if they come in contact with the larvae in contaminated soil. The puppies can contract
hookworms in the uterus and the dam can infest the pups through her milk.
Severe anemia may require blood transfusions.
A hookworm infection occurs when larvae of the roundworms Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus
penetrate human skin, making their way through the lungs to the small intestine, where they attach and
mature into adults, laying more eggs. Children are particularly susceptible to this kind of infection.
Once infected, children become weak and experience delayed growth patterns. These roundworms infect
about 25% of the world's population.
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(BACTERIA)
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Also known as "Summer Sores" or "Moist Eczema". A wet, raw looking skin lesion.
Hot Spots can seemingly appear spontaneously anywhere on your dog's body and the area involved can rapidly
spread. This moist, raw skin disorder has a variety of causes but the most consistent factor is bacteria.
Anything that irritates or breaks the skin can create the environment for bacterial contamination if the skin
surface has just a bit of moisture on it. The moisture can be present from a recently given bath, from swimming
or being out in the rain, from rolling in wet grass or even from a slightly oozing sore that provides nutrients
for bacteria.
Most likely to occur during summer months. Hot spots can cause severe itching and self-trauma because the
infection goes into the deep layers of the skin. That's why Hot Spots may take two weeks to finally look like
they are going to heal. In a case of extensive and deep areas of Moist Eczema, oral antibiotics and
antihistamines may need to be prescribed and large areas of skin will be shaved.
Watch for the skin sores and keep your dog well groomed especially in summer. Any dog that has matted, dirty
hair coat is at greater risk of developing Hot Spots. Many owners will have their long or thick-furred dog
shaved closely in the summer. This really does help prevent the thick coat from covering any dampness on
the surface of the skin. By the fur covering any accumulated dampness and not allowing evaporation, the wet skin
surface is a perfect environment for bacterial growth and invasion of the skin surface.
This Lick Granuloma may have started as a simple "Hot Spot" on the dog's foreleg. Repeated infections
and irritation from licking have created scar tissue and chronic infection. A severe Lick Granuloma may
result if persistent treatment is not performed. Hot Spots seem to be mostly a summertime problem but can
occur any time. If your dog needs veterinary help for any skin lesion, don't delay in making that call.
Many types of dermatological problems can be avoided if the dog is on an optimum diet. In some cases, adding
a supplement, popular Omega Fatty Acid supplement is the key factor in avoiding repeated episodes
of Hot Spots and other skin afflictions. If your dog seems to lack good coat and skin health, consider
upgrading the diet to a meat-based ingredient formula and adding a supplement such as DermCaps.
The first ingredient listed in the pet food Ingredient List on the pet food label should be a meat.
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INTERNAL BACTERIA / VIRUS
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs.
The majority of cases are not serious resolving on their own in 1 to 2 weeks . But because some dogs may develop
life-threatening complications.
Kennel cough can be caused by a number of different airborne bacteria (such as Bordetella bronchiseptica) and
viruses (such as canine parainfluenza) or a mycoplasma (an organism somewhere between a virus and a bacteria).
Typically, more than one of these pathogens (disease-causing agents) must bombard the dog at once to trigger
illness. Such a multifaceted attack is most likely to occur when a dog spends time in close quarters with many
other dogs. Dogs that attend dog shows, travel frequently, or stay at kennels have a higher risk of developing
kennel cough than do dogs that stay at home most of the time.
The primary sign of kennel cough is a dry-sounding, spasmodic cough caused by pathogens that induce inflammation
of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages into the lungs). At the end of a coughing spell, a dog will
often retch and cough up a white foamy discharge. Some dogs also develop conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane
lining the eyelids), rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane), and a nasal discharge. Affected dogs
usually remain active and alert and continue to eat well. But if you suspect your dog has kennel cough, isolate it
from other dogs and call your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can typically diagnose kennel cough from a physical exam and history. The cough is very characteristic and can be easily elicited by massaging the dog's larynx or trachea But if the dog is depressed;
feverish; expelling a thick yellow or green discharge from its nose; or making abnormal lung sounds, your
vet may want to perform diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) chest x-ray, and laboratory analysis
of the microorganisms inhabiting your dog's airways. These tests can help determine whether the dog has developed
pneumonia or another infectious illness such as canine distemper.
Immunization can be an important part of a kennel cough prevention program and is recommended . But since the illness
is caused by multiple organisms - making effective immunization difficult - you should focus on minimizing
your dog's exposure to the disease-causing organisms themselves. Don't share your dog's toys or food and water bowls
with unfamiliar dogs. And if your dog is in an indoor kennel or show, make sure the indoor area is adequately
ventilated so airborne organisms are transferred outside.
If your dog is diagnosed with kennel cough, your veterinarian will likely prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent
any secondary bacterial infection and a cough suppressant. We have found in those persistent cases of kennel cough,
the use of a relatively new antibiotic, azithromycin, to be effective. This medication is very effective in
the treatment of the mycoplasmal forms of tracheobronchitis. Again, before any treatment regimen administered,
is it is imperative that a proper veterinary examination and appropriate diagnostics be performed.
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EXTERNAL PARASITE
Lice are dog parasites that often affect dogs and puppies specially, expanding through direct
contact or through brushing material. They generally establish around the head.
A careful examination of the hair of your dog will help to detect these parasites in a first phase,
which will ease the control of them.
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(INTERNAL PARASITE)
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Roundworms are active in the intestines of puppies, often causing a pot-bellied appearance and
poor growth. The worms may be seen in vomit or stool; a severe infestation can cause death by
intestinal blockage. This worm can grow to seven inches in length. Females can produce 200 thousand
eggs in a day, eggs that are protected by a hard shell and can exist in the soil for years.
Dogs become infected by ingesting worm eggs from contaminated soil. The eggs hatch in the intestine
and the resulting larva are carried to the lungs by the bloodstream. The larva then crawls up
the windpipe and gets swallowed, often causing the pup to cough or gag. Once the larvae return
to the intestine, they grow into adults.
Puppies under the age of three months are the ones most affected by these intestinal parasites.
Older dogs often develop an immunity that stops the parasite eggs from hatching, however if these eggs
are not taken care of, they can affect the puppies of that dog because the eggs can remain dormant in
the adult dog's body.
When your puppy gets its scheduled deworming the medication should destroy any dormant eggs, and standard
heartworm medications will stop any early infections. Roundworms are transmittable to humans.
What are Roundworms?
Just like it sounds, these worms are relatively long, white and have a spaghetti appearance. These worms are
commonly seen in the stool or they may sometimes be observed in the animal’s vomit. Roundworm eggs are also
microscopically seen during a stool exam.
How does my pet get roundworms?
Mothers can pass roundworms onto their puppies or kittens before birth or through the milk. Swallowing the
larvae infects dogs & cats. The larvae hatch in the stomach and small intestine and migrate through the muscle,
liver and lungs. The worms then travel back to the intestines and begin to reproduce new eggs, where the life
cycle starts all over again.
How are roundworms treated?
There are several veterinary treatments and prevention for roundworms.
Can I get roundworms?
Yes. Roundworms do pose a public health risk although human infection is uncommon.
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(INTERNAL PARASITE)
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Tapeworm eggs are usually transmitted by fleas, uncooked animal meat and fecal matter.
Flea carry tapeworm. If you kill the tapeworm and you still have not killed the fleas, the tapeworm
will come back. Tapeworms can be seen as pieces of white rice crawling on the anus or stool.
This is usually a segment that has broken off of the adult tapeworm that is still living inside the pup.
There are several varieties of this parasite and most of them fortunately cause their canine
host no lasting damage. Still all parasites should all be eliminated by deworming with
medication from your dog's veterinarian and any other treatments the veterinarian recommends.
There are a few varieties of tapeworms that produce eggs which can then be transferred to humans.
In a human host these parasites can cause life threatening cysts.
Tapeworms can also be vomited up but these are flat and obviously segmented. If you are not sure
what type of worm you are seeing, bring it to your vet’s office for identification.
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EXTERNAL PARASITE
On the other hand, ticks live in dogs only for a short period of their life span, going away
from the dog once they have fed themselves with his blood. Better than taking away the tick,
or beheading it, leaving it stuck in the skin acting as a source of infection, spread its body
with common oil.
A careful examination of the hair of your dog will help to detect these parasites in a first phase,
which will ease the control of them.
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(INTERNAL PARASITE)
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Trichinosis an infection caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis. These larvae live in pigs and
other wild carnivores, such as bears, but humans can become infected with Trichinella spiralis when they
eat such meat (particularly pork) that is undercooked. The larvae mature in small intestines and migrate
to muscle cells where they can live for months or years.
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(INTERNAL PARASITE)
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Adult whip worms look like pieces of thread with one end enlarged. They live in the cecum, the first
section of the dog's large intestine. Infestations are usually light, so an examination of feces may
not reveal the presence of eggs. Several checks may be necessary before a diagnosis can be made.
The Whipworm larva penetrates the small intestine. From where they move to the large intestine,
remaining there until they mature into adults. Some of the symptoms of whipworms are diarrhea,
weight loss, and bloody stools. These parasites should be eliminated immediately and this is
accomplished with deworming medication.
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