Parasites are external and internal pests that feed on your pet's blood and can cause a variety of potentially serious health issues. Here, our Columbia vets talk about how you can prevent parasites in dogs and the importance of parasite control for your pup and family.
What are parasites and how do they affect dogs?
Parasites are pests that can live externally on the fur and skin of your pet or internally, usually in the gastrointestinal tract. These parasites live strictly off of the blood and vital nutrients provided by your pet's blood.
Some cause irreversible, severe damage to your dog's organs. The many types of dog parasites include hookworms, heartworms, tapeworms, lice, ticks, and fleas.
In this post, we'll take a look at some common parasites in-depth and explain why parasite control in dogs is so essential to their health, and how your vet can help.
How are parasites transmitted?
In many cases, a dog will not be infected directly from other animals. This is because parasites contracted through animal feces can be passed down from mother to child before they are even born. Insect bites are another potential method of transmission.
Some of the parasites that most commonly infect dogs include:
External Parasites Commonly Seen On Dogs
External parasites live on the skin of your canine companion, biting on the surface and feeding. The two most common are fleas and ticks:
Fleas
Fleas are an external parasite that depends upon a host animal for their survival, in this case, your dog. Once these tiny parasites have made themselves at home on your pet they will begin to multiply at an astonishing rate. Some estimates calculate that for every adult flea you find on your pet, there may be 100 or more immature fleas hiding throughout their coat. Not only that, but if your pet has fleas there is a good chance that these parasites are also invading your home, hiding in carpets and soft furnishings.
Many dogs are allergic to the proteins left behind when fleas bite, which causes the area of the bite to become intolerably itchy. When this happens pets often scratch and groom excessively leading to raw damaged patches of skin, fur loss, and in some cases infections. Additionally, fleas have an added danger in that infected fleas can also transmit tapeworms to your pet.
Ticks
Ticks are external parasites that rely on 'hosts' for transportation and food. A host is a person or animal that the tick lands on and begins feeding on. Ticks feed on the blood of their hosts, including humans and animals.
Ticks are extremely common around the globe and many different species are found across North America. Each type of tick comes with serious risks to pet health and human health. Tick's saliva contains a variety of germs and bacteria which can be transmitted to the animals and people they prey on. These bacteria can lead the host to develop conditions such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Canine Bartonellosis, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, alpha-gal allergy, or Lyme disease.
Internal Parasites Seen in Dogs
Internal parasites are most commonly found in the intestinal system of animals and people. Some of the most common internal parasites are:
Roundworms
Roundworms are a common parasite in pets. As the name implies, they’re large roundworms that live in the intestines and cause ascariasis. Kittens and puppies generally become infected with roundworms through nursing and can catch contact with this parasite by eating the larvae found in the feces of other infected animals. Roundworms are a zoonotic parasite, which means humans can also become infected with roundworms.
If your pet has roundworms you may notice symptoms such as diarrhea, lack of energy, weight loss, or vomiting. In pets with few worms present, there may be no signs of infection, but you may see them in your dog's stool or vomit. Since roundworm infection symptoms aren't always easy to spot, it is important to have your pet attend annual checkups at your vet's office and have yearly fecal exams.
Tapeworms
These are flat, long, segmented parasites that attach to the walls of the small intestine. Dogs are most commonly infected by the Dipylidium canine species, but several types are known to infect pets. The way most pets get infected is by swallowing a flea that has been infected with the tapeworm, which can easily happen while they are grooming or as a response to flea bites.
Heartworms
Heartworms or Dirofilaria immitis, are protozoan parasites that live in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels of dogs. This disease is transmitted by infected mosquito bites, when eggs find their way into your pet; the larvae travel through the bloodstream for several months, finally settling in the heart and pulmonary arteries.
Heartworm infections go undetected for months until the condition reaches more advanced stages when damage to the pet's internal organs has already begun. Treatment for heartworm disease is available however it is toxic to the pet, and can be very expensive. For this reason, many pet parents find themselves having to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize cherished pets diagnosed with heartworm disease.
How to Prevent Parasites in Dogs
Naturally, after discovering how many parasites our dogs can contract and the potential effects on their health, the next question pet owners have is, 'How are parasites prevented?'.
The best way to protect your dog is to keep up with their vaccinations. Your vet will be able to advise you of a schedule for inoculation. Make sure your dog goes for an annual wellness check so your vet can test for infestation.
The Importance of Parasite Control in Dogs
Parasites can pose a significant danger to even the healthiest dog. That's why parasite control for dogs including a variety of parasite prevention practices and products is important to protect your pooch and your family.
Parasite control for dogs is an essential part of their routine healthcare. During your pet's annual exam, your veterinarian in Columbia can check your dog for any signs of parasites and recommend parasite control measures or products that would be suitable for them based on your location, your dog's risk factors, health status and more.
We are also happy to address any questions and concerns you may have about parasite prevention and control.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.