Intestinal Parasites
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Hookworms |
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Lives in the small intestines |
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Can be passed to people - causes painful, itchy rashes |
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Clinical signs - weakness, weight loss, dehydration, pale gums |
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Can be prevented by most once-a-month heartworm preventions |
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Maintaining a clean envirionment and preventing your dog from eating feces will also help prevent an infestation |
The mouth of Hookworm
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Tapeworms |
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Carried by fleas, caused by ingesting an infected flea |
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Can grow over a foot long - segments may be seen in feces |
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Requires a specific deworming medication to treat |
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Prevent by preventing fleas |
Tapeworm segments Tapeworm
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Roundworms |
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Are a threat to people |
Lay 100,000 eggs a day |
Puppies can be infected by their mother |
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Clinical signs - weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, malnutrition, weakness, a pot-bellied appearance |
Most heartworm preventions control roundworms to prevent infestation |
Infestations must be treated with deworming medication |
Roundworm
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Whipworms |
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Not as big of concern - less destructive, don't lay as many eggs |
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Live in the soil and can survive for long periods of time |
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Outdoor dogs are more vulnerable |
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Not a threat to people |
Whipworm