|
|
Intestinal parasites threaten your pet's health. Large numbers can cause intestinal blockage, bloody diarrhea, and even death in young or weakened pets. Certain types can also infect you and your family.
Infection can occur through ingesting a flea, contact with infected animals, their droppings and contaminated food or water.
Symptoms include anemia, diarrhea, vomiting, appetite loss, weight loss, underdevelopment, constipation, or coughing.
Microscopic examination of your pet's stool sample is necessary to detect the presence and type of parasite infection. Precise treatment is based on the parasites present. Many prescribed medications are given orally and some by injections. Worms and their eggs can be difficult to destroy so follow-ups may be necessary. Over-the-counter products are risky if administered improperly. If other parasites are present, they can cause serious problems if not detected and properly treated.
Sanitation is key to parasite control. Remove stools from the yard promptly. Control fleas and contact with small wild animals, birds, other dogs, cats, and all droppings. Have your pet's stool sample checked regularly by your veterinarian.
|
|
|
Coccidia is a microscopic intestinal protozoan. It causes diarrhea, poor appetite, weakness, and abdominal pain. It is most sever in young puppies.
* * * * * * * * * *
|
|
|
|
Giardia is a parasite that lives in various water sources. Dogs can become infected by drinking from a puddle, pond, or other water sources. Giardia can be passed from pet to pet and from pet to humans.
Symptoms of Giardia include diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, and poor weight gain.
* * * * * * * * * *
|
|
|
|
Hookworms attach to the cat or dog's intestinal lining, leaving bleeding internal wounds. Hookworms suck blood from the infected pet. Symptoms include blood loss, anemia, weakness, and diarrhea which may be bloody.
Hookworms can infect puppies in the uterus of a pregnant female. The larvae are also present in the infected mother's milk for a few days after the puppies are born. Cats usually become infected by by ingesting the larvae of hookworm eggs. As few as 100 hookworms can kill a puppy. Kittens may die if the blood loss is severe.
Hookworms are zoonotic parasites. Children can become infected by walking barefoot in contaminated soil or putting dirt in their mouths. Hookworms cause lesions where they penetrate the skin. Infected children may suffer intestinal bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
* * * * * * * * * *
|
|
|
|
Roundworms are the most commonly occuring worms in puppies and kittens. Almost all puppies get roundworms from their mothers as they can become infected while still in the womb. Adult dogs and cats can become infected, too. They can also pick them roundworms from the soil.
Roundworms live in the pet's small intestine where they interfere with the digestive process or bowel obstruction. They can move into the lungs and the liver causing damage to these organs. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stunted growth, rough coat, and bloated belly. Occasionally the worms are vomitted up or passed in stool and look like small coiled twisting white threads.
Roundworms are zoonotic parasites. Children can become infected by playing in contaminated dirt or sand and putting their dirty fingers in their mouth. Roundworm eggs can hatch in a child's stomach and form cysts in the body tissue.
* * * * * * * * * *
|
|
|
|
Your pet can get tapeworms by ingesting fleas or from eating rabbits, mice, or other rodents. Tapeworms live in the intestine, bowel, and colon. Pets pass tapeworm segments which are about 1/4 inch long, look like rice, and may be moving.
Tapeworms rob nutrients from your pet which may increase their appetite. Tapeworms cause abdominal discomfort and sometimes diarrhea or constipation.
Tapeworm larvae can hatch in a child's stomach and form cysts in body tissue.
* * * * * * * * * *
|
|
|
|
Whipworms live in the large intestine and the bowel of cats and dogs. They cause bloody diarrhea, anemia, dehydration, and loss of appetite. Eggs are passed in feces and can survive for years in the soil. Whipworms are very difficult to eradicate.
Whipworms are zoonotic parasites. People can become infected through contact with infected feces, soil, or grass. Someone infecated with whipworms may experience diarrhea, anemia, and loss of appetite.
* * * * * * * * * *
|