Internal Pet Parasites

What you Can't see May Harm You

There are many different kinds of internal parasites that can live in your pet.  Some parasites may cause sickness in our pets or may be infective (zoonotic) to humans.

There are some simple steps that can be taken to keep our pets and family free of dangerous parasites.

The center for disease control (CDC) the nations security against infectious disease puts out protocol for deworming our pets. They suggest that pets be dewormed every 6 month to ensure that infectious parasites are not spread to our children or other family members.

Here's is a list of the most common internal parasites and some treatments:

Roundworms - also known as ascarids, live in the gastrointestinal system (stomach and intestines).  These worms can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even intestinal blockage in large loads.  The eggs must be ingested by a host, commonly a dog or cat. They are passed to the young while in the uterus by crossing the placenta into the fetus. Puppies and kittens are infected before they are even born by the mother. This may result in nutritional deficiency seen as problems growing, poor appetite and decreased energy.

Treatment for Hook worms and Round worms:
Pyrantel (Strongid)- Very safe in puppys and kittens, should be given at 6 and 8 weeks of age. Strongid may be purchased and given at 1cc per 10 lbs for dogs.

Hookworms- These worms can infect the host by either being ingested or migrating through the skin.  The travel to the lungs and are coughed up and swallowing into the gastrointestinal tract where they can mature to adults. Hookworms live in the stomach and intestines by sucking the blood from the host. This can lead to low blood levels (anemia) causing decreased energy and sickness.  Hookworms are contagious to humans can cause infection by penetration the skin.  Humans are often exposed to the hookworms by contact with animal feces.

Treatment for Hook worms and Round worms:
Pyrantel (Strongid) is labeled for horses but contains the same active ingredient given to dogs for hookworms and round worms. Can be dosed at 1cc per 10 lbs.

Tapeworms-   The most common cat and dog tapeworm Dipylidium caninum is transmitted by ingestion of fleas.  The diagnosis of tapeworms is usually when owners notice rice shaped segments in the feces or attached to the area around the anus.  Tapeworms usually do not cause clinical signs but can rob your pets of vital nutrients.  If you notice these rice shaped segments your pet should be treated immediately.  Since fleas host tapeworms proper flea control should be used at all times. A rapid flea kill product such as Capstar should be given immediately followed and continued treatment with adult flea prevention such as Frontline.

Important points:
 1) All puppies and kittens should be treated with a dewormer such as pyrantel starting at 6 weeks of age and repeated in 2 wks to control internal parasites.
2.  It is imperative that all pets be treated with monthly flea control medication.
to prevent tapeworms.
3) The Center for Disease Control recommends all pets be dewormed every 6 months to prevent humans being infected by parasites.

A fecal examination is a important tool that should be used to diagnosis internal parasites by your veterinarian.