DAMBF
Dogs Are Man's Best Friend
Intestinal parasites are one of the most common problems veterinarians see in dogs. Although pets of any age can carry them, they are a health a problem primarily in young dogs, dogs whose life style increases their risk of exposure, dogs living in sub-standard conditions and dogs with other health issues.
Dogs and their parasites have had millions of years to evolve together. During that time, they have, begrudgingly, learned to tolerate each other. There are a large number of these worms and assorted freeloaders - as seen in the picture to the right.
The Enemy in the Fur
Parasites are often “silent” and you will not know you pet has them. The more common intestinal parasites have adapted so well to their hosts (your dog), that they are living in balance and cause no observable health issues. But that can always change. It is when the parasites become too numerous for one reason or another that your pet’s health is affected. Because of their silent stealthy nature, our best approach is to try to keep your pets completely free of them before the balance becomes disturbed.
The most common early signs of intestinal parasites in puppies are poor growth (stunting), dull hair coat, scrawniness (thin), lack of playful energy and diarrhea. Many of these puppies have bony bodies but potbellied, big tummies. Many are anemic. Puppies with parasite over-burden invariably grew up in poor sanitary conditions.
Heartworm Disease
From a mosquito
Fleas and Ticks
A FLEA is a blood-sucking parasite that is normally found around the neck, softer parts of the body like the thighs, paws, or the base of your pet's tail. It is characterized by its ability to jump long distances and its ability to quickly multiply. Fleas not only take the blood of the host, but they can also transfer tapeworms into the host if they are ingested. They can also cause dermatitis, hair loss and anemia due to loss of blood. They are also a big annoyance to pet owners since they like to hide in carpets and they also bite humans.
TICKS pose a bigger threat to both pets and humans than fleas. They can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease. So they must be removed properly with the use of special tweezers or else the bacteria they are carrying can be released into your pets bloodstream.
Already Infested?
​
There are a few steps that must be taken if your pet is already infected.
Just getting rid of the fleas from your pet is not enough since the critters would have already embedded themselves into your carpet and furniture. Not to mention that an adult flea can lay up to six hundred eggs during its lifetime and those eggs takes around two days to two weeks to hatch.
You need to clean your whole house by vacuum and dispose of the bag and its contents outside the house. Next you need to spray your carpet, rugs, sleep areas and upholstery with a vet approved flea spray. Don’t forget to also wash the bedding of your pet. You need to also clean your pet. Shampoos, powder and flea collars works, but the most effective way is to apply tick medication that are in the form of topical liquids to your pet’s skin.
Heartworm is a parasitic infection and it is mainly caused by mosquito bites. It is a parasite that gets transferred from host to host by blood and can stay in the right side of the heart of the host for years. Since the treatment is a painstakingly long and painful progress, the best thing to do is to prevent your dog from catching the parasite in the first place. It is much easier being prevented than treated.
​
Prevention
Firstly, you can start by keeping your dog healthy. A healthy immune system can fight off the disease, so feeding your dog the right kind of food that is filled with nutrition, allowing them plenty of exercise, keeping them stress free and making sure that they receive good veterinary care is the best way to start keeping your dog safe from the heartworm parasite.
According to the Integrated Pest Management Information Network from North Carolina State University, "Healthy animals are best able to withstand and, to some extent, avoid infestation." Dr. Michelle Tilghman, D.V.M. also says, "Strengthen [your pet's] resistance with whole foods. Dogs and cats are more likely to resist heartworms when they are given all-natural foods, which help keep the immune system strong."
Second of all, you should make sure that the area that your dog is in is mosquito-free. You can do this by limiting the amount of opened and standing water sources such as ponds and fountains where your pet spends the most time at. Standing water sources are the best breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Safe, natural mosquito repellent products is also recommended.
There are also methods that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) deeply acknowledges, that is giving pets medicines and/or injections:
ivermectin, milbemycin oxime, have spot on topical treatments: selamectin, moxidectin and also injectable: moxidectin.
The best thing to do is to ask your vet about what method is the best to protect your dog from heartworm disease. Depending on different factors such as your breed of dog and the living environment, different methods might be used.
​
Symptoms
· Lethargy / Fatigue
· Anorexia / Eating Disorder
· Coughing (especially during physical exertion/exercise)
· Reluctance to exercise or play
· Rapid breathing
· Weight loss
Treatment
Two steps are needed in the treatment of heartworm in dogs. First, there is the treatment of killing the adult parasites (known as adulticide) and second is the treatment of killing the microfilariae or offspring. Medication is needed for both and is normally an injection issued by the veterinarian.
Sometimes dogs may need to be hospitalized or is restricted in terms of exercise and movement. In some cases, infected dogs might need crate rest during their treatment.
For more information on the heartworm disease, visit the American Heartworm Society website: www.heartwormsociety.org.