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    Your Dog’s Intestinal Parasites

    Statistics show that one in three dogs at some time can be infected with intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Taking care of our canine friends not only stop at grooming, but also checking for parasites which can be detrimental to their health. The following is a list of the common intestinal parasites that infect your dog, what they are, how your dog can possibly acquire them, its harmful effects to your dog and to you, and of course, how to get rid of it.


    ROUNDWORMS (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonine)

    Description
    Most common to infect the animal kingdom, roundworms grow 2 – 4 inches long, tan or white creatures with tapered ends that look like spaghetti.

    How they are acquired
    Puppies are usually born with them. Those infected with roundworms have a potbelly or a bloated look and dry, scaly coat. When your pets are in unsanitary conditions, don’t be surprised if your dog becomes infested. Unlike hookworm eggs, roundworm eggs are very resistant to drying, sunlight or antiseptics. They can last for years in soil and still be infectious.

    Harmful Effects to your Dog
    If in huge numbers, a dog may vomit these worms or discharge them all as a whole in the fecal matter. Roundworms can cause diarrhea – the infestation’s effect is evident on your pet’s general appearance. They can also cause intestinal blockage and stool cannot pass if they become too many.

    Harmful Effects to Man
    Since roundworms are zoonotic, they can be transferred to humans. They cause an infection known as “Visceral Larva Migrans”, which result in inflammation of muscle tissue. Young children are susceptible to transfer and can experience eye inflammations leading to blindness.

    Treatment
    Usually used to treat roundworms are pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole and piperazine, both classified as Anthelmintics or dewormers.


    TAPEWORMS (Dipylidium caninum)

    Description
    Tapeworms can be seen unlike other parasites. Tapeworm segments, usually white in color, can be seen after in the dog’s feces or rectum after elimination that broke off from the adult.

    How they are acquired
    Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs, so the ingestion of parasite eggs is the only way to infection.

    Harmful Effects to your Dog
    Although they don’t cause much harm to our canine friends, tapeworms cause pet owners to squirm at their ghastly sight. Dogs experience cramping and sometimes gas.

    Harmful Effects to Man
    Children can accidentally swallow fleas that have eggs, causing intense discomfort. Fish can also be an intermediate host – so be careful in eating raw fish.

    Treatment
    Antiparasitic agents, praziquantel and epsiprantel are both used both by oral medication or injection.


    HOOKWORMS (Ancylostoma caninium)

    Description
    Hookworms are blood-sucking intestinal parasites and are invisible to the naked eye.

    How they are acquired
    Puppies can acquire hookworm eggs from their mother and unhygienic surroundings or soil. Heat and dryness kills hookworm eggs quickly.

    Harmful Effects to your Dog
    If your dog is infected, their feces look abnormally blackish and loose. In the first week of infection, they may look healthy, but extreme infections in injured or young dogs can be lethal. They can cause intestinal bleeding leading to anemia and bloody diarrhea.

    Harmful Effects to Man
    In humans, hookworms can also cause intestinal bleeding especially to children. In adults, they can cause an infection known as “Cutaneous Larva Migrans” or “creeping eruption”. Lesions that can be really itchy are caused by hookworm larvae nestling into the skin usually in the feet. More so, when severe, they can cause abdominal pains and eye problems.

    Treatment
    Hookworms can be diagnosed by the examination of the pet’s fecal matter. Dewormers include pyrantel pamoate and fenbendazole. An example of a product is Heartgard.


    WHIPWORMS (Trichuris vulpis)

    Description
    Another unseen freeloader is the whipworm, which is the most difficult to exterminate. They do not need to leave the intestines to complete a life cycle.

    Eggs are passed in the dog’s stool and after 2-4 weeks in a warm, moist environment, they become infective to another dog. The eggs hatch and the worms mature in the cecal area of the intestine where they can cause chronic bowel inflammation.

    How they are acquired
    Most common in adult animals especially those housed in groups or kennels because they can become infectious to other dogs after a few weeks in a warm environment.

    Harmful Effects to your Dog
    The symptoms may include severe diarrhea, flatulence, loss of weight and general overall condition. Whipworms can cause chronic bowel inflammation.

    Harmful Effects to Man
    Luckily, these parasites only adhere to our canine friends.

    Treatment
    Fenbendazole (Panacur) is usually prescribed after diagnosis. To regulate these parasites, give doses of milbemycin oxime every month, a heartworm preventive medication.

    What breeds are prone Hip Displasia?

    Usually, large breeds of dogs are more prone to hip dysphasia. Labradors, Great Pyrenees, Great Danes, Retrievers, German Shepherds, Saint Bernards, Rottweilers and Sporting Dog Breeds are examples. However, small dogs can also acquire this. If your dogs belong to any of the mentioned breeds, the following information might help you.

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