Parasites are never a pleasant situation. Fortunately, many parasites that occur in dogs can be easily treated. If diagnosed and treated early, most parasites won't cause any major damage to your pet's health. In most cases, any damage that does occur will heal over time.
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Heartworm Disease
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Heartworms are among the most well-known of all parasitic diseases occurring in dogs. Usually transmitted through mosquitos to the host, these parasites can have a devastating effect if not caught and treated as soon as possible. Prevention is key in protecting your dog from heartworm disease. Most dogs will not display any outward symptoms of heartworm. In some cases, dogs will exhibit a loss of appetite and weight loss but the most common sign of heartworm is known as 'heartworm cough,' which is a very distinct sounding cough that many veterinarians will recognize. In severe cases, an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen may occur and some dogs can die because of heart failure.
Fleas and Ticks
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Both fleas and ticks are considered to be parasites. While the insects themselves may not actually be a 'disease,' they can cause a variety of diseases within pets. Ticks especially are known for causing diseases, some of which can be life threatening. Monthly flea and tick preventatives are an easy way of killing off any fleas or ticks that may try to use your dog has a host. Common diseases transmitted by fleas or ticks include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tapeworm and Typhus. Fleas may also cause allergic reactions in some dogs, which can lead to excessive itching. Excessive itching can open wounds in the skin, allowing other bacteria such as yeast to enter and cause a secondary infection (such as a yeast infection).
Tapeworms
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Adult tapeworms can grow up to 20 inches in length. While most tapeworm infestations won't cause any signs or symptoms, some dogs will display mild discomfort or vomiting. You may also notice that your dog has been rubbing his behind on your carpet in an attempt to scratch the area. This is because the eggs are transmitted through the feces of the animal and some baby tapeworms can hatch in the anus, causing mild to severe itching.
Fortunately, tapeworms can be treated through the use of medications that kill off the adult tapeworms and eggs. It cannot be used in puppies younger than seven weeks.
Roundworms
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Dogs become infected with roundworms in four ways: either through consuming the worms, during nursing, consuming prey that is carrying the worm or while the puppy is still in the womb of the mother. Roundworms will usually become apparent when the puppy or the dog vomits because there will be roundworms present in the vomit itself. Fortunately, like many other parasitic worms, they can be removed relatively easily through medications that contain active ingredients such as pyrantel pamoate, febantel, piperazine, milbemycin oxime and moxidectin.
Hookworms
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Hookworms are among the most common parasites that affect dogs. This blood-sucking parasite gets its name from the hook-like jaw which it uses to attach to the wall of the intestine. Hookworms can cause a variety of symptoms including anemia, abdominal pain, pale gums, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, dogs who go untreated can develop serious anemia and become extremely weak and eventually death will occur. Hookworms are treated in a similar fashion to other parasitic worms through the use of a medication referred to as a dewormer. These medications are taken orally and often need to be taken twice to fully kill off any infestations.
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