Worms are one of the most common health problems faced by dogs. In most cases, these parasites can cause some diarrhea and other symptoms but can usually be treated without much difficulty by a veterinarian. However, some types of worm are more serious than others and can be fatal if left untreated.
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Roundworms
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The most common worm you're likely to find in a dog's intestines are roundworms. These parasites stick around in the intestines and steal nutrients away from the dog, which means the dog is likely to lose weight and be constantly desirous of food. Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms. For puppies, roundworms can be deadly if they leave the intestines and enter the lungs. Several medications are available to kill roundworms, but the treatment must be repeated in no more than four weeks to kill the larvae which become adult roundworms inside the dog.
Hookworms
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Like roundworms, hookworms are very common parasites found in dogs. Unlike roundworms, hookworms don't just absorb nutrients, they act like leeches and attach themselves to the intestinal wall where they drink the animal's blood. This can cause dogs to have anemia and other health problems. Many of the treatments used for roundworms will also work on hookworms. Multiple treatments spread out by at least two weeks are recommended to kill the worms and their larvae completely.
Coccidia
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Although coccidia are found in the intestines of almost all puppies, they do not always cause problems. These are a type of protozoa, and the puppies will eventually become immune to them. Before that, however, they are at risk from suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, appetite loss and other problems. The animal is at great risk of suffering from dehydration because of this problem. For this reason, the parasites should be treated as soon as possible. A couple of types of drugs are available for the treatment, but improvement is slow because the drugs only stop the protozoa from reproducing and do not kill the existing coccidia.
Giardia
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Giardia are another type of protozoa common in dogs. While the protozoa are found regularly in dogs, it does not usually cause disease. Diarrhea is the most common symptom which can lead to dehydration if not treated. Because the giardia interfere with the dog's ability to absorb the nutrients it consumes, the dogs often lose weight rapidly despite eating more food. Several anti-parasitic drugs can be used for the treatment, although they have not been approved by the FDA for that purpose. No matter what treatment is used, follow-up examinations need to be made to ensure the parasites have been removed.
Heartworms
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One of the more deadly of the canine worms is the heartworm. Heartworms are similar to roundworms except they live inside parts of the heart, particularly in the vessels linking the heart and lungs. Because of their size and number, heartworms can obstruct the flow of blood through the body. In the early stages, no symptoms are going to be apparent. However, as the infestation grows, you may notice that your dog coughs and has less energy than before. Heartworms are fatal if not treated. Unfortunately, the treatment is also dangerous to the dog's health, as it contains arsenic. Dogs must be hospitalized for several days to be treated for the condition.
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