Pets and Parasites

The class I took on how to become a veterinarians assistant was very interesting and also disturbing, so I wanted to share some information on the hazards of worms in pets. Some of these parasites can harm or even kill you pet. Heartworm is one of the deadly parasites, so you want to make sure your dog or cat is taking medication monthly for this disease. Don't skimp on this one. The list below will tell you something about each worm and what they can do to your pet. There are medications that can be given to rid the pet of worms, but there are many, so your veterinarian will have to determine which worm your pet has and then prescribe the right medication.

Whipworm :
This worm lives in dogs only, and feed on the blood. Whipworm is shed in the stool and can be picked up by another dog. This worm is also content to live and reproduce in the intestine.There is also noticeable weight loss and bloody diarrhea. Whipworm resides in the colon. Whipworm is not transmitted to humans, and cats do not get this parasite. A dewormer can be given, but not all work. Only certain dewormers work, it depends on which parasite your pet has, so speak to your veterinarian.

Heartworm
Heartworm is transmitted through a mosquito bite. These worms look like white string all tangled together, very thin and long. The time frame between the dog getting infected to the time they matures into adult worms living in the heart takes about 6 to 7 months. In some cases the first sign will be a cough. "In more sever cases coughing up blood, fainting and sever weight loss can occur and finally congestive heart failure." In the late stages a drug called "Immiticide" can be given, with very little side affects. This is an arsenic based compound. Once the drug is give the dog must rest so that the dead worms can get absorbed into the body.

Roundworm:
There are three types of roundworms, roundworms in dogs are called (toxocara canis) in cats they are called ( toxocara cati) and roundworms that infest both are called (toxascaris leonina). Roundworms are long and thin, round in shape and beige in color. This is a common intestinal worm for both cats and dogs. Roundworms in puppies will cause poor growth, they may also get a pot-belly or bloody diarrhea. If the mother is infected she will pass this on to her litter. This worm will absorb the nutrients from the food and may cause digestion problems. A dewormer can be given to rid the pet of this parasite.

Tapeworm
This worm is transmitted through fleas. This parasite resides in the intestine. It is flat, white, 1/4 inch wide and has many segments. Tapeworm is not threatening, but it will take the nutrients away from the animal. Tapeworm does not kill it's host. It should only take "a single injection, or an oral pill can take care of this parasite." It is important to keep fleas under control to prevent tapeworm.

Hookworm:
Hookworms infest both cats and dogs and can be deadly. Though a sever infestation is uncommon. Hookworms suck blood, sometimes sucking so much blood they can make your pet anemic, so much so that they can die. Hookworm can live in your lawn and in turn penetrate the skin of your pet, or they can be ingested. Hookworms are also contagious and not only can affect other animals but can affect humans also. Sometimes a puppy can be born with hookworm. Most of the time in puppies it goes undetected and the puppy will die.

If you are an animal lover like I am then you will certainly want to keep you furry companion safe from these harmful parasites. That is why it is important to know about these parasites and have your pet examined by a veterinarian. They depend on us and trust us, so we must do right by them, and keep them healthy.