Creepy, Crawly, but Controllable - Intestinal Parasites
Nearly every young puppy has some type of intestinal parasite.
Most parasites are transmitted from mother to puppy, but others
can come from fecal matter, infected soil, or eating small animals
which are infected. Since puppies love to get into anything
they can get their paws on, parasites can spread among them
like wildfire.
Most infections
can be diagnosed through a fecal examination during which
the veterinarian looks at a slide of treated fecal matter
under a microscope for parasite eggs. Because each parasite
sheds its eggs at different times, veterinarians recommend
doing several fecal examinations within a puppy's first few
months. Following the last of these initial puppy exams, you
should continue with check ups once a year, or whenever the
pup has gastrointestinal upset.
This is
a brief description of common parasites, how they spread,
and how you can identify when your pup -may be infected:
Roundworms are transmitted from mother to
puppy, via feces or soil where roundworm eggs are present,
or when a dog eats an infected rodent. When passed, these
worms look like wet spaghetti noodles. They cause diarrhea,
vomiting, and bloody stool. Pups who demonstrate these symptoms
should be taken to a veterinarian right away to rule out more
serious issues.
Hookworms can be transmitted through feces-to-mouth
contact, from mother to puppy, or when a puppy's skin comes
in contact with infected fecal matter. This infection can
become quite serious because it causes blood loss.
Whipworms cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration,
which can lead to further complications. Whipworms spread
through the feces of an infected dog or via contact with infected
soil.
Tapeworms are caused primarily by ingesting
fleas or eating an animal that has a tapeworm infection. Signs
and symptoms of a tapeworm infection are passing worm segments
in the stool, lethargy, gastrointestinal upset, and, in severe
cases, intestinal blockage. Tapeworm eggs are rarely seen
in fecal examinations.
Coccidia are single-celled organisms that
cause watery or bloody diarrhea. As a result, the dog may
suffer from dehydration and other effects that make this infection
serious to very young puppies. Coccidia is transmitted through
infected fecal matter or eating a rodent that has the infection.
Giardia infection triggers diarrhea, gastrointestinal
upset, and immune system vulnerability. Most giardia infections
develop after a pup has consumed water contaminated with the
protozoan, such as water found in stagnant lakes or ditches.
Veterinarians can usually diagnose the infection after a fecal
examination, and can prescribe medication to rid the pup of
the disease. However, as a precaution, you can give your dog
a vaccination against this parasite if indicated.
Although
do-it-yourself remedies are available, you should not attempt
to treat your puppy yourself. If you think your puppy has
intestinal parasites, contact your vet for an examination.
by Rachelle Boatright
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Adopters 