- Roundworms - Fungus Focus
Fleas are blood-sucking insects. They are little six-legged, winged vampires that use your pet as a convenient traveling meal. However they are external parasites and much easier to remove than internal nematode parasites. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms are common blood-sucking nematode parasites. Microbial parasites include Giardia and coccidia.
Roundworms
The symptoms include poor general health and diarrhea. The vet can check the animal's stool for eggs and worms. Roundworms are most common parasite in puppies and kittens up to one year in age. Puppies infested with roundworms will start pass worm eggs. Adult dogs pass the worms and about 12% will have eggs in their feces. Puppies can pick up the parasite infection by eating soil, drinking contaminated water and licking paws that have been contaminated. Female dogs can pass roundworm infections on to their puppies before birth or while nursing. But female cats can only pass roundworms on to their kittens through nursing.
Roundworms live in your pet's small intestine and can steal nutrients from digesting food, leading to malnutrition and other intestinal or digestive problems. The larvae pass through the pet's body and can infect the lungs causing pneumonia and other serious respiratory problems in puppies and kittens. Humans get the infection through eating with unwashed hands. The larvae can burrow through skin, invading organs such as the lung, brain and liver. If fecal particles enter the eye, partial or permanent blindness can result.
Hookworms
These blood-sucking nematodes have a menacing name. They are the second most common parasite found in dogs, but they are not often found in cats. Hookworms are a problem the world over and can cause serious diseases.
Infection occurs when a larva passes through the skin or mouth lining. The larva hangs out in grass waiting for a dog host to wander by. The parasite latches on to the skin of the paws and feet and migrates up the legs through the skin until it reach the intestines. As the larvae move along, they cause severe itching and tunnel-like red areas on the skin.
This nematode has hook-like projections around its head. As the hookworm bites in to the intestine, the hooks help it hold on and not get dislodged by the movement of material through the animal's intestines.
Tapeworms
If you want to check your pet out for this parasite, look under and all around his tail. If you see small white segments attached to hairs around the tail, the pet has tapeworms. This parasite attacks the intestine but doesn't cause illness unless there is a heavy infestation of the worm. Unexplained loss of weight is usually the first symptom. Other signs include blood loss, weakness and malnutrition. When fleas swallow the worm larvae, they pass them back to the dog as they feast on his blood and quickly reinfect a dog even if the animal has recently been treated for worms.
Whipworm
These worms have the same life cycle as the other nematode parasites and are transmitted in the same manner. The whipworm embeds its head in your pet's intestine and sucks blood. Due to its location in the gut, sometimes infections develop. This can result in diarrhea, blood loss and weight loss. Generally this parasite is much less harmful than the other worms and doesn't cause many health concerns.
Microbial Parasites
Coccidia and Giardia re the most common single-celled parasites that affect dogs and cats. Good hygiene is important in countering an infection with these microbes. Licking paws and eating dirt are the primary modes of infection. Signs of infection include watery, bloody diarrhea and the pet may also show signs of dehydration.
Prevention of Parasite Infestation
As soon as you notice any signs of parasite infestation, contact your vet. Clean up and dispose of pet droppings immediately.
Bring stool samples along when your pet has his regular vet examination. Prompt treatment will relieve the dog's discomfort and prevent intestinal damage.
Source: A-Z of Dog Diseases & Health Problems by Dick Lane and Neil Ewart; Howell Book House, 1996
Diane Evans - I am a retired civil engineer as well as a member of Sisters in Crime and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
