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INTESTINAL PARASITES
Ascarids: ("Roundworms")
1. Round; white; 2-4 inches long: may curl up when seen; resemble
"spaghetti"
2. May be vomited up from stomach; or coughed up from the lungs.
3. Are most commonly found in young puppies.
4. May cause intestinal blockage when found in large numbers.
Hookworms:
1. Very thin, almost transparent; 1/4 -1/2 inch long.
2. Normally not visible to the naked eye.
3. Hook on to the intestine and suck blood which causes anemia.
4. Puppies may be infected by the mother when nursing through the milk.
5. May be ingested orally or may actually penetrate the skin (usually
through feet).
6. Causes bloody diarrhea and death when severe.
7. Most harmful of all internal parasites!
8. Were a problem in humans years ago when everyone went barefooted
most of the time.
Whipworms:
1. Inhabit the lower part of the intestine (colon).
2. Causes chronic diarrhea, sometimes containing blood.
3. Normally not visible to the naked eye.
4. Eggs are ingested off the ground.
Tapeworms:
1. Short, flat segments (look similar to "rice" or "cucumber
seeds").
2. Causes a poor appearance and dry skin.
3. Often seen on the hair around the rectum.
4. Cannot be diagnosed by microscopic exam like other parasites, unless
a segment just
happens to be present-segments are not passed every day.
5. Spread by fleas, rabbits, birds, and other rodents- not by dogs and
cats.
Coccidiosis:
1. A protozoal intestinal infection
2. Can cause symptoms similar to parvo or hookworm.
3. Will progress to bloody diarrhea and immunosuppression
4. Lowers immunity making puppy susceptible to parvo or distemper
5. Diagnosed by a fecal microscopic exam
6. Treatable and cureable if diagnosed early
7. If one puppy in litter comes down with it all will likely be affected.
Internal Parasite Prevention:
1. Fecal examination of your pet's stool should be done every 6 months.
Puppies should be checked and dewormed at 3 weeks of age.
2. Use specific dewormers for the type parasite present, as determined
by microscopic
fecal examination. Over-the-counter deworming medications are usually
not effective against most internal parasites that cause the real problems!
3. Remove feces from your lawn, street, or kennel daily.
4. Exercise your pets in grassy areas not frequented by other animals.
5. Prevent your pet from eating rodents, such as mice, rats, and rabbits.
6. Prevent your pet from eating earthworms which spread "roundworms."
7. Control fleas!
8. Deworm pregnant pets before breeding, and again before whelping to
help prevent infecting newborn pets.
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