Dogs and puppies can be infested with parasites and worms. Some dogs will not experience symptoms until their health is being adversely affected. Parasites and worms have life cycles that make it difficult to eliminate them without the aid of medication. Internal parasites live in the dog's body, and external parasites most commonly affect the skin and ears.
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Roundworms
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Roundworms are common in dogs and puppies and may be transmitted to humans. The roundworm larvae can cause children who are infected to become seriously ill. Dogs can acquire roundworms in a variety of ways. Puppies may contract roundworms through the uterus if the mother is infested as well as during nursing and through contact with contaminated feces. Older dogs are most often infected by eating rodents that are infested with roundworms or by contact with contaminated feces. The symptoms that are associated with roundworms in dogs may include coughing, fever, nasal discharge, vomiting and lethargy. The most common symptoms are a distended abdomen and diarrhea. In order to diagnose roundworms in dogs, your veterinarian may examine a stool sample taken from your dog. Roundworms may be excreted in feces and look like a piece of spaghetti.
Hookworms
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Hookworms can cause dogs to be quite ill. A hookworm is a parasite that sucks the blood in the dog's body and lives in the small intestine. Dogs may contract hookworms by eating infected larvae that are present in the environment. The larvae may also gain entry through the skin, where they enter the bloodstream and become adult hookworms. Puppies may be infected with hookworms while nursing or before birth while in the uterus. The symptoms associated with hookworms in dogs and puppies may include lethargy, diarrhea, dark stools, vomiting and weakness. Many dogs become anemic as a result of hookworm infestations, which is most often seen in very young or very old dogs. Any dog that appears to be ill or anemic should be tested for hookworms. The diagnosis of hookworms is made by finding the hookworm egg in the dog's feces.
Renal Parasites
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Renal parasites are found in the urinary tract. Dogs may come into contact with renal parasites by ingesting earthworms, fish or frogs that are infected with the parasite. The symptoms associated with renal parasites in dogs may include abdominal pain, bloody urine, painful urination, frequent urination and recurring urinary tract infections. To diagnose renal parasites, the veterinarian may order a serious of diagnostic tests such as a CBC (complete blood count), urinalysis, biochemical profile and X-rays. In some cases, the diagnosis is made when the adult worms are found through exploratory surgery.
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