Parasites are a common problem found in all kinds of pets, but they can cause your dog medical issues or even death when left untreated. Thankfully modern research and medicine have made great advances, and getting rid of these pests is a much easier task now. In this topic, let’s take a look at the horrors that live inside and outside your dog’s body.
What Are Parasites And What Are The Different Kinds
Parasites are little organisms that get nutrients from a host, which has harmful side effects on the host’s body. These parasites might prefer to attach themselves to dogs, but they have evolved to infect humans as well.
There are two kinds of parasites, and they have different ways of attaching themselves, primarily to our dogs. They also cause different health problems once they infect a host.
Kinds Of Parasites
External: These parasites live outside your dog’s body and attach themselves to their skin or hair. Examples of external parasites are fleas and ticks.
Internal: This type of parasite lives inside your dog’s body and will affect various organs. Your dog might not show symptoms of being infected at first and is harder to detect. Examples of internal parasites are ringworm and heartworm.
10. Fleas
Fleas are little blood-sucking parasites that cause itching when they bite. It’s because a flea’s saliva can induce an allergic reaction to your dog’s skin when it feeds on him. A flea infestation can lead to flea allergy dermatitis, which can cause severe itching and skin infections when left untreated. Fleas can also carry tapeworm larvae and your dog might get them when he accidentally ingests a flea. Lastly, a large infestation can lead to anemia.
Treatment: Thankfully, there are vet-approved flea control products available in clinics or pet hospitals which can be given orally or topically. It’s also important to treat your home where fleas may live like your garage or living room as there are instances, though rare, fleas have fed on humans.
9. Ticks
Ticks attach themselves to your dog’s skin to feed on their blood but they can also feed on humans. Some species of tick can cause tick paralysis which paralyzes the muscles starting at the rear end and going to the head. This can be fatal if the muscles that control breathing are unable to function.
Treatment: In this case prevention is the best cure. There are tick control products that can be bought at your nearest vet to minimize and avoid infestation on your dog. It’s also important to have your dog checked for ticks especially when they just spent some time in nature.
8. Mange Mites
Mange mites are tiny little parasites that live in your dog’s hair follicles and cause itching, hair loss, and diseases. The most common type of mange mite is the demodectic mange, which can live in your dog’s fur in small numbers and cause no problems. But, in some puppies and immuno-compromised dogs, they can transmit certain diseases.
Another type of mite is called scabies or Sarcopting mange. This type is contagious and can cause redness, itching, scabs, and hair loss.
Lastly, Cheyletiella mites, or “walking dandruff,” can cause dry, itchy skin and dandruff. They got the name because you may see flakes of dandruff moving on your dog’s fur, though the mite is microscopic.
Treatment: Go to your vet and get them checked for what kind of mite your pet may have. You may ask for a topical medicine or medicated shampoo that can be applied to your dog.
7. Ear Mites
Ear mites are microscopic parasites that live in your dog’s ear which cause thick black debris to form and may give your dog some discomfort. Ear mites are highly contagious and can be passed along when animals come into direct contact with another animal that’s infected.
If your dog shakes his head, scratches his ears, and has a discharge in their ears that looks like crusty coffee grounds, he may be infected with ear mites.
Treatment: The vet will advise you to get an ear-cleaning solution for your dog, followed by an insecticide to stop the mites from breeding. This will be done for a few days or weeks, depending on the infestation, until all mites are gone.
6. Hookworms
Hookworms are small and thin parasites that live in your dog’s intestine and suck their blood. Dogs get them by eating an infected animal or insect, for example, cockroaches, or an infected mother can pass it to her puppies through breastfeeding. Humans can also get this parasite by migrating through the skin, which may cause infections.
If your dog experiences loss of appetite, diarrhea, and anemia, he may be infected with hookworms.
Treatment: Visit your vet and have him check your dog’s stool for eggs or larvae. The vet will give your dog deworming medicine a few times until all signs of hookworms are gone. Regular deworming will also prevent them from coming back.
5. Whipworms
These parasites are worms with whip-like front ends and thicker back ends. They attach themselves to your dog’s large intestine and feed on their blood. Dogs can get whipworms when they come in contact with stools lying around in their environment. After getting infected, your dog will experience weight loss, diarrhea, or anemia.
Treatment: Your vet will get a stool sample from your dog and look at it under a microscope. Then your vet will give you a special medicine taken a few times a day for a few weeks to get rid of the parasite as typical deworming medication doesn’t work on whipworms.
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4. Roundworms
Roundworms are parasites that live in your dog’s stomach and steal nutrients from the food he eats, which results in your dog not getting enough nutrition. These parasites are transferred when stools of infected animals are ingested. Puppies can also get them by breastfeeding from their mothers.
If your dog displays symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss but has a bloated belly, he may have roundworms. This parasite can also be passed on to humans and may cause inflammation in various organs.
Treatment: The vet can detect roundworms with a stool sample under a microscope. Then, a few doses of deworming medicine are given to your dog to get rid of this parasite.
3. Tapeworms
Tapeworms are flat-shaped parasites that live in your dog’s intestine and may cause your dog to have an itchy anus, blocked intestines, and poor nutrition. They are usually transmitted through eating raw meat or fleas. Then these parasites reproduce by segmenting their bodies in the stool, which can irritate your dog’s anus.
Treatment: Go to your vet and get your dog’s rear end examined for irritation as tapeworm eggs don’t show up in microscopes. Then, a deworming medicine is given to your dog to get rid of the parasite. Note that flea control is needed, as well as keeping your dog from eating dead animals.
2. Giardia
Giardia are single-cell organisms that infect your dog’s small intestine, and they can get these by drinking in puddles and drinking water that’s already contaminated. It can also be transmitted by ingesting the stool of an infected animal.
Giardiasis is a nasty parasite that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss; and the bad thing is, your dog might not show signs of infection at first.
Treatment: Your vet might not have the specific equipment to detect this parasite and might send a stool sample to a lab that has the tools. Getting rid of giardia involves more than one medicine which includes a dewormer coupled with an antibiotic to treat it.
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1. Heartworms
Heartworms are large parasites that live in the heart or lungs of your pet and may cause coughing up blood, weight loss, fainting, and weakness. Heartworm disease can be fatal in later stages, but your dog may show no symptoms at first. Mosquito bites are the usual source of heartworm and may infect dogs and humans alike.
Treatment: Heartworm disease happens over several months and needs several medicines to treat over a period of time. The dog must be well rested while he gets treated to avoid complications from killing the worms. Thankfully, this disease can be easily avoided by keeping your area mosquito-free, which will protect both you and your dog.
How To Prevent Parasite Infestation In Your Dogs
Cleaning Up After Your Dog: Pick up your dog’s feces and dispose them properly will help control the spread of parasites. Giving them regular baths also counts. You should also keep the places where your dog typically hangs out, like your garage or living room, and wash your dog’s toys and bedding. Lastly, Always remember to wash your hands after handling anything that your dog has touched.
Regular Veterinary Checkups: Visiting your vet regularly and having your dog examined can help detect parasite infestation in your dogs. A veterinarian can identify the symptoms and the kind of parasite that has infected your dog and can give you treatment or medical advice when needed.
Give your pet their yearly flea/tick/worm prevention medications: These preventive medications are a fantastic way to prevent your dog from getting infected. Visit your vet for their scheduled shots, and most of the parasites that can affect your dog will stay
From The Club
There are hidden problems that our dogs experience even when we are diligent. By visiting your vet regularly and keeping your place clean will help prevent the health problems caused by these parasites. Lastly, if your dog has been infected, do not hesitate to ask for medical treatment because your swift action can prevent other dogs from getting infected as well.