Parasites can range from being a nuisance to being life-threatening. In this post, our vets in Portland will talk about some parasites your dog could get and explain why it's crucial to prevent infection and practice parasite control.
What is a parasite?
A parasite is an organism that feeds on your dog without offering any benefit. They steal nutrients from your dog, and some can cause irreversible damage to your dog's organs.
How do parasitic infections happen?
Your dog doesn’t need to be near other animals to get infected. Some methods of infection are insect bites, other animal feces, and even being passed down from mother to child. Once a dog is infected, getting parasites out of their entrenched location can be difficult. This is why the best solution is to practice preventative measures. Some examples of parasites that dogs may have include:
Heartworms
Mosquitoes often spread this parasite. Once your dog is infected, the worm will grow, reproduce, and spread throughout the dog's body. They got the name heartworm for their unfortunate habit of embedding in the heart muscle. They can also be found in an infected dog's lungs and blood vessels. The issue with diagnosing them is that by the time the symptoms show, it is quite severe. These worms can cause massive damage to internal organs.
Roundworms
This parasite can be passed from mother to child before birth. It can also be transmitted by eggs that are excreted and then accidentally swallowed. The egg can live for weeks without a host and can also infect humans, especially human children (it makes you question every sandbox you played in as a child). This can stunt growth and cause dogs to have a pot-belly appearance. Also, the worms can come out of both ends.
Hookworms
These horrifying creatures can infect your dog either through consuming an infected mother's milk, consuming the eggs, or by them burrowing into the skin. These creatures are little vampires that live off of the blood of animals by entering the GI tract and tearing holes in the lining, causing ulcers which they feed from. They can prove deadly to young puppies and cause anemia in adult dogs. These vile creatures can also burrow into human skin. Like roundworms, sandboxes are notorious for being the vector of transmission (why do we let kids play in sandboxes?).
Fleas
The classic pest that infects your dog’s fur. They are normally an annoyance, constantly biting and causing skin irritation. They can be a disease vector for tapeworms as well.
Ticks
These little bugs bury their heads into the flesh of their victim. They can spread Lyme disease and can also attack humans.
What can I do to protect my dog?
The best way to protect your dog and cat is to keep up with its vaccinations. Your vet can advise you of a vaccination schedule. Make sure your dog goes for an annual wellness check so your vet can test for infestation.
Parasites can pose a significant danger to even the healthiest dog. We recommend various parasite prevention practices and products to protect your pup and your family. We are also happy to address any questions and concerns about parasite prevention and control.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.