4 Parasites That Can Seriously Affect Your Dogs Health

These parasites live in a dog's intestinal tract, causing nutritional problems and physical irritation affecting the condition and attitude of the host. Parasites such as roundworms, whipworms, coccidia, and tapeworms may seriously affect the general health and vitality of puppies.

Roundworms (Ascarid):
Immature roundworms (larvae) may remain hidden in cysts in a female dog's tissues throughout her life. During pregnancy, these larvae migrate from their cysts into the unborn puppies' tissues. When the puppy is born, the larvae migrate to its small intestine and mature. Adult roundworms lay eggs that pass out in the dog's feces, become sources of infestation for other dogs, and in certain rare instances, children. These and other parasite ova or eggs are identified by microscopic examination of puppies' feces.

The principal effect of roundworm infestation is a loss of condition of the host because the parasite competes with the puppy for food, and a heavy infestation of roundworms will nearly starve a puppy to death. Typically, these malnourished dogs will be unthrifty, have a potbelly, and lack energy.

A stool sample from the dog should be taken to your veterinarian at least once a year. If parasite ova are found in the stool sample, your veterinarian will prescribe an appropriate medication for treatment.

Hookworms:
Ancylostoma, the canine hookworm, is a more serious parasite. The microscopic worm hatches from eggs passed in the stool of infected dogs. In addition to being spread through toutes similar to the roundworm, the hookworm larvae are able to penetrate the skin of dogs, then migrate throughout the tissues, ending up in the small intestine. There, they attach to the lining of the gut and suck blood.

The principal sign of hookworms is anemia. The severity of blood loss depends on the degree of infestation. Puppies may die from heavy infestations of hookworms.

Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of a fecal sample. Treatment is usually administered by a veterinarian, and follow-up fecal examinations are often scheduled.

Whipworms:
Trichuris infestation is relatively rare. This parasite lives in the cecum, an outpouching of the large intestine. Causing chronic diarrhea, whipworm infestation is diagnosed by fecal examination, and treated with oral medication. Repeated stool examinations are usually advised to be sure this parasite is eliminated.

Coccidia:
Coccidia are microscopic, protozoan parasites that live in the dog's intestine. Infestation usually causes chronic diarrhea, often with blood. It can be diagnosed by fecal examination and treatment with various medications is usually successful, although not a sure thing. Repeated fecal examinations are usually recommended following treatment.