~Intestinal Parasites~
Intestinal parasites threaten your pet's health. In large numbers, they can cause intestinal blockage, bloody diarrhea and even death. Certain types can also affect you and your family, such as roundworms and hookworms. Microscopic examination of your pet’s stool needs to be done yearly or more often if problems.
Since roundworms and hookworms can infect people, the Center for Disease Control strongly recommends all pets get dewormed for roundworms and hookworms yearly, even if we obtain a negative stool sample. This recommendation not only protects your pet, but also protects people who live around your pets. For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website.
Following are five of the most common intestinal parasites. (There are many other less common parasites that occasionally infect our pets. Regular stool examinations will help detect these infections):
Dogs and cats become infected by eating larvae from contaminated soil or feces, or by eating infected rodents, birds or some insects. Puppies or kittens may be infected by their mother while still developing in the uterus. Consequently, many young animals are born with roundworms.
Human infestation is possible, but does not occur frequently. Eating contaminated soil or stool material is required for infestation to occur. Children should be instructed concerning the importance of cleanliness when playing with or handling animals, especially a litter of puppies. The best insurance against human contamination is keeping your pet free from roundworms by regular periodic stool examination and strategic deworming.
Animals become infected with hookworms by eating infective eggs or larvae, penetration of the skin or footpads by larvae, or transmission of larvae from the mother while the fetus is still in the uterus. The time from consumption of infective larvae to the appearance of eggs in the stool is 15 to 26 days.
Hookworms are one of the most serious intestinal parasites, as they feed on the blood of their host animal and can cause severe anemia. In young, weak or malnourished animals, hookworms can cause sudden collapse and death. Older, more resistant dogs may suffer a slow, progressive wasting disease. Weight loss, diarrhea and tarry or bloody stools frequently occur in animals with hookworms.
Hookworms can penetrate human skin and cause a skin disorder known as cutaneous larval migrans or creeping eruption. This infection is not common, but anyone who develops a skin rash after being in contact with a pet with hookworms should consult a physician.
Tapeworm infection may not be noticeable, or it can produce digestive upsets, variation in appetite, poor hair coat and skin, weight loss and vague signs of abdominal discomfort.
Diagnosis of tapeworms is made by finding the segments in your pet’s feces, in its bed, or clinging to the hair around the anal area. Unlike most other worms, the eggs are not generally found in a microscopic examination of the feces. When first passed, segments will be yellowish to white, about 1/4 inch long and may expand and contract. When dry, segments resemble cucumber seeds or grains of rice.
Tapeworms are not passed directly from pet to pet, but require an animal called an intermediate host in which to develop. Common intermediate hosts are fleas and small rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels and rabbits. In some areas, fish are the intermediate host for one type of tapeworm.
Whipworms can cause diarrhea, bloody feces and general poor health. Occasionally, massive rectal hemorrhages occur. Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of the feces. Sometimes, several samples must be examined before the worm eggs are found. It takes about 3 to 4 months after infection until eggs are passed in an infected pet’s stool.