Parasites can come in many forms and cause anything from mild irritation to serious illness in your dog. Treatment is available at the Dog Hospital of Brampton but prevention is extremely important.
There are 3 types of parasites that can affect dogs
- Internal
- Intestinal
- External
1. Internal
The most common internal parasite for dogs is heartworm, which is a serious blood parasite that is commonly transmitted to dogs through the bite of a mosquito. The worms travel to the heart causing an inflammation in the dog’s arterial wall disrupting blood flow, making the heart have to work harder. The end result can be heart failure.
Symptoms:
- Mild persistent coughing
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Getting tired or winded after even moderate activity
- Losing interest in any physical activity
- Swollen stomach
Prevention
The best method of preventing potential heartworm is by providing your dog monthly or semi-annual treatments of prescription oral pills (aimed at killing heartworms at the larval stages). Topical skin products are also available.
2. Intestinal
All dogs are susceptible to intestinal parasites. These are parasites that live inside the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Examples include hookworms, ringworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms and coccidia.
Symptoms:
- Scooting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- A distended abdomen
- Weight Loss
- Occasional coughing
Prevention
The best method of preventing intestinal parasites is to give your dog preventative medications and to have our veterinarians do a regular fecal check.
3. External
There are parasites that live on your dog’s skin and parasites that live inside your dog. Fleas are the most common parasite that live on the skin. Other types of parasites that live on the skin of your dog include, ticks, mites and lice.
Symptoms:
- Restlessness
- Itching and scratching
- Licking or chewing more than normal on certain areas of the body
Prevention
A number of medications are available to prevent these parasites that are convenient, safe and effective.
Schedule an appointment today to talk to an experienced veterinarian about the best preventative solutions for your dog.