Internal Parasites in Dogs

Dogs contact internal parasites by eating uncooked infected meat, coming in contact with infested soil, stools of infested dogs and ingesting fleas.

The danger lies in that internal parasites live off their host; they feed on blood, steal nutrients, water and other essentials.

Usually a fecal screening or blood test can identify the parasite.

Before you use an over-the-counter de-worming medication, you should talk to your veterinarian. All de-wormers contain harmful chemicals, so they should be used with care. The first dose kills only the adults and a second dose must be administered in 10-14 days. Nemex and Pancur are recommended medications.

Infesting can reoccur if your pet is continually exposed to parasites in the environment. Be sure to clean up after your dog as soon as possible. Dog parks are breeding grounds for parasites, so be aware of the potential hazards of parasites

To prevent parasites we recommend Interceptor. It will protect your dog from heartworm, roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. Cestex will protect your pet from tapeworm. Also seek the advice of your veterinarian before starting any preventative.

Tapeworm

This parasite is transmitted by ingesting infected fleas. Tapeworms live in a dog’s digestive system.

Symptoms

Usually an infected dog will scoot his butt along the floor in an attempt to relieve the irritation. Tapeworms are white and about ¼ - ½ inch in length. They are visible around the dog’s rectum, on a dog’s stool or even on the dog’s bedding. They may look like a grain of white rice or a sesame seed.

Treatment

Fecal screening or a blood test can confirm this parasite. De-worming medication can be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Prevention

Always be on the lookout for fleas on your dog, especially after being outdoors. Cestex can be used as a preventative. Discuss prevention with your veterinarian.

Roundworm

This parasite is transmitted by eating infected animals or through contact with contaminated feces or soil. They absorb nutrients in a dog’s intestines and interfere with digestion. They are very prolific. Immature roundworms can travel through human tissue and cause inflammation in the brain or eye.

Symptoms

The worm looks like curled spaghetti strands in your dog’s stool and usually is 2" – 4" long and tan or white in appearance. If infestation is heavy, the dog may vomit these worms. Diarrhea can also be present.

Treatment

Fecal screening or blood test can confirm this parasite. De-worming medication can be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Prevention

Keep your dog away from the feces of other animals and do not let your pet eat dead animals. Interceptor can be used as a preventative. Always discuss medications with your veterinarian. Always wash your hands after cleaning up pet feces.

Hookworm

This blood sucking parasite resides in the small intestine. If left untreated, it can cause death. Dogs contact hookworm by ingesting larvae through contaminated water or soil, or eating another infected animal. It can also penetrate the skin.

Symptoms

An infected dog will appear weak, anemic and have vomiting and diarrhea. The worm cannot be seen with the naked eye. As the hookworm detaches from the intestinal wall, that spot continues to bleed, which can cause a black, tarry stool. A fecal examination can identify this parasite.

Treatment

Treatment includes de-worming with a veterinarian prescribed product.

Prevention

Always keep your pets areas clean. Interceptor can be used to control hookworm. Always talk to your vet about preventatives.

Whipworm

This parasite is one the hardest to eradicate and control. They attach themselves to the intestinal lining and feed by sucking the blood of the infected dog.

Symptoms

Signs may include diarrhea, gas and loss of weight. This worm does not show up in fecal exams, so a blood test may be necessary.

Treatment

Always talk to your veterinarian before administering worming medications

Prevention

Interceptor can be used as a preventative. Always discuss medication with your veterinarian.

Heartworm

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. The worms migrate to the heart and lungs and nearby blood vessels. It can lead to congestive heart failure. It is important to have your dog tested (blood sample) annually for this parasite before putting it on a preventative medication even if you administer the medication year-around.

Symptoms

Some dogs have no symptoms while others may exhibit a cough, decrease in appetite, difficulty in breathing and lack of energy.

Treatment

To kill the adult heartworm it is necessary to use a hash arsenic-based drug which can be risky.

Prevention

We recommend Interceptor as a preventative for heartworm. It is essential that your dog be giving a heartworm blood test before starting a preventative. A yearly test is necessary even of your dog is on a preventative year round.