Intestinal Parasites

We follow the recommendations of The Companion Animal Parasite Council which recommends fecal examinations of two to four times during a puppy’s or kitten’s first year and one to two times per year in adults, depending on patient health and lifestyle factors. You may obtain additional information at their website at www.capcvet.org The following is information concerning the most common parasites of dogs, cats and humans and some preventative steps you can take:

Ascarids: (Roundworms)
• Round, white, 2-4 inches in length, they may curl up, and/or resemble spaghetti,
• they may be vomited from the stomach or coughed up from the lungs,
• they may cause intestinal obstruction,
• they can be transmitted from pets to people, especially children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals
• the most common clinical sign is nothing (i.e. normal signs and symptoms)
• they can cause diarrhea, vomiting, pot belly, weight loss especially in puppies and kittens
• and they can be obtained via a fecal-oral route, via nursing and across the placenta.

 Hookworms:
• These are one fourth to one half inch long, very thin and almost transparent,
• normally not visible to the naked eye,
• hook on to the intestine and suck blood causing anemia and diarrhea especially in puppies and kittens, and may cause bloody diarrhea when severe,
• may be ingested orally, via the fecal-oral route, nursing or trans-placentally, or actually penetrate the skin, they can be transmitted from pets to humans.

Whipworms:
• They inhabit the lower part of the intestine, not normally seen by the naked eye,
• cause chronic diarrhea, sometimes containing blood which can be severe,
• they are rarely seen in cats,
• they are obtained via the fecal oral route, and may cause no clinical signs,
• intermittently shed in stool so multiple fecal exams may be necessary for diagnosis.


Tapeworms:
• These are short, flat segments (look similar to rice), often seen on the hair around the rectal opening,
• usually no clinical signs seen, but may cause pet to have a poor appearance and weight loss,
• usually diagnosed by seeing segments on the hind end or in the stool, however segments are not passed everyday,
• they can be obtained by eating rodents or rabbits, and by fleas, but not from other dogs or cats.

Coccidia:
• A protozoan parasite (a single celled animal),
• obtained via the fecal oral route,
• there are usually no clinical signs seen but can cause diarrhea especially in puppies and kittens.


Giardia:
• A protozoan parasite which infects the small intestine,
• is usually passed on through contaminated water in which an infected animal has defecated,
• chronic diarrhea, stomach upset and dehydration are common in both animals and humans.
• This disease is difficult to treat and may require multiple treatments.



Internal Parasite Prevention

• Have a fecal examination as recommended by the CAPC.
• Use specific dewormers for the type of parasite your pet has as determined by a fecal examination.
OVER THE COUNTER DEWORMING MEDICATIONS ARE USUALLY NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE PARASITES THAT CAUSE YOUR PET’S PROBLEM!
• Use a heartworm preventative year round that also kills internal parasites, (there are several that we recommend).
• Remove feces from the lawn, street, or kennel daily.
• Exercise your pet in a grassy area not frequented by other animals.
• Prevent your pet from eating rodents (mice, rats, rabbits).
• Prevent your pet from eating earthworms that spread roundworms.
• Control fleas (there are several products we can recommend).
• Deworm pregnant dogs before breeding and again before whelping to help prevent infecting newborn puppies.