 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
PUPPY
PARASITES
PARASITES
Coccidia
Young puppies are frequently infected with coccidia and often develop active
Coccidiosis -- even puppies obtained from diligent professional breeders.
Infected puppies almost always have received the parasite from their mother's
feces. Typically, healthy adult animals shedding the parasite's oocysts in their
feces will be asymptomatic because of their developed immune systems, however,
undeveloped immune systems make puppies more susceptible.
Further, stressors such as new owners, travel, weather changes, and unsanitary
conditions are believed to activate infections in susceptible animals.
Symptoms in young dogs are universal: at some point around 6 weeks-3 months of
age, an infected dog develops persistently loose stools. This diarrhea proceeds to
stool containing liquid, thick mucus, and light colored fecal matter. As the infection
progresses, spots of blood may become apparent in the stool, and sudden bowel
movements may surprise both dog and owner alike. Other symptoms may include
poor appetite, vomiting, dehydration, and sometimes death.
Coccidia infection is so common that any pup under 4 months old with these
symptoms can almost surely be assumed to have coccidiosis.
Fortunately, the treatment is inexpensive, extremely effective, and routine.
A veterinarian can easily diagnose the disease through low-powered microscopic
examination of an affected dog's feces, which usually will be replete with oocysts.
One of many easily administered and inexpensive drugs will be prescribed, and, in
the course of just a few days, an infection will be eliminated or perhaps reduced
to such a level that the dog's immune system can make its own progress against
the infection.
Even when an infection has progressed sufficiently that blood is present in feces,
permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and the dog will most
likely make a complete recovery without long-lasting negative effects.
Young puppies are frequently infected with coccidia and often develop active
Coccidiosis -- even puppies obtained from diligent professional breeders.
Infected puppies almost always have received the parasite from their mother's
feces. Typically, healthy adult animals shedding the parasite's oocysts in their
feces will be asymptomatic because of their developed immune systems, however,
undeveloped immune systems make puppies more susceptible.
Further, stressors such as new owners, travel, weather changes, and unsanitary
conditions are believed to activate infections in susceptible animals.
Symptoms in young dogs are universal: at some point around 6 weeks-3 months of
age, an infected dog develops persistently loose stools. This diarrhea proceeds to
stool containing liquid, thick mucus, and light colored fecal matter. As the infection
progresses, spots of blood may become apparent in the stool, and sudden bowel
movements may surprise both dog and owner alike. Other symptoms may include
poor appetite, vomiting, dehydration, and sometimes death.
Coccidia infection is so common that any pup under 4 months old with these
symptoms can almost surely be assumed to have coccidiosis.
Fortunately, the treatment is inexpensive, extremely effective, and routine.
A veterinarian can easily diagnose the disease through low-powered microscopic
examination of an affected dog's feces, which usually will be replete with oocysts.
One of many easily administered and inexpensive drugs will be prescribed, and, in
the course of just a few days, an infection will be eliminated or perhaps reduced
to such a level that the dog's immune system can make its own progress against
the infection.
Even when an infection has progressed sufficiently that blood is present in feces,
permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and the dog will most
likely make a complete recovery without long-lasting negative effects.
Roundworms
These are the most common worms and are often transmitted from
mother to puppy. They're then transmitted through the puppies feces
and if proper hygiene is not followed it's possible (but fairly unlikely)that
these puppy worms could be to transmitted to human members of your
family.
In puppies, symptoms of a roundworm problem can include a thin,
scrawny look accompanied by a round, distended tummy. A dull, coarse
and out-of-condition coat is another sign. If Puppy has a lot of
roundworms he may even vomit, cough or have frequent diarrhea.
Children are especially susceptible to this as they're not known for their
effective hand washing technique! Make sure that your family always
washes their hands after playing with, or handling, Puppy.
Your veterinarian will most likely do a fecal exam (test puppy's poop to
see if he has worms) and then administer the appropriate medicine.
Although you can buy over-the-counter worm medicines, it's not
advisable to treat your puppy yourself.
Leave that kind of stuff to the professionals!
Tapeworms
The most common type of tapeworm is spread by fleas. The worms are
then shed in the puppy's feces, they are usually in segments which look
like single grains of rice.
If you check Fido's poop you will most likely be able to tell whether or
not he has tapeworms. However, the definitive test needs to be done at
your veterinarians office, where they can prescribe the right medication
to fix the problem.
The most common tapeworms are not easily transmitted, or dangerous
to, people. But there is a variety that can cause serious health problems
and even death in humans so again, good hygiene is a MUST.
Treating your puppy with a flea preventative is very effective in
eliminating the danger from these puppy worms.
Whipworms
These particular puppy worms are more common than people think,
maybe because they're generally difficult to detect. Puppy is at risk of
catching whipworms if he eats something that's been in contact with
contaminated soil or feces.
Your veterinarian can make a diagnosis and give appropriate treatment,
which needs to be repeated at specific intervals in order to get rid of all
the worms at different stages of development.
Hookworms
There ar 4 kinds of hookworm and unfortunately the most common one
(which prefers a warm climate) is the most dangerous. Transmitted
through feces, the hookworm thrives in warm soil and is contracted when
the larvae penetrates the skin of it's host.
Humans can also contract hookworm so it's best not to walk barefoot in
the yard or parks where dogs eliminate.
Hookworms can be fatal in young puppies and can cause severe anemia,
diarrhea or pneumonia in older pups. Your veterinarian is the best person
to diagnose and treat this parasitic infection. A regular heartworm
medication can also control and prevent hookworm infestation.
These are the most common worms and are often transmitted from
mother to puppy. They're then transmitted through the puppies feces
and if proper hygiene is not followed it's possible (but fairly unlikely)that
these puppy worms could be to transmitted to human members of your
family.
In puppies, symptoms of a roundworm problem can include a thin,
scrawny look accompanied by a round, distended tummy. A dull, coarse
and out-of-condition coat is another sign. If Puppy has a lot of
roundworms he may even vomit, cough or have frequent diarrhea.
Children are especially susceptible to this as they're not known for their
effective hand washing technique! Make sure that your family always
washes their hands after playing with, or handling, Puppy.
Your veterinarian will most likely do a fecal exam (test puppy's poop to
see if he has worms) and then administer the appropriate medicine.
Although you can buy over-the-counter worm medicines, it's not
advisable to treat your puppy yourself.
Leave that kind of stuff to the professionals!
Tapeworms
The most common type of tapeworm is spread by fleas. The worms are
then shed in the puppy's feces, they are usually in segments which look
like single grains of rice.
If you check Fido's poop you will most likely be able to tell whether or
not he has tapeworms. However, the definitive test needs to be done at
your veterinarians office, where they can prescribe the right medication
to fix the problem.
The most common tapeworms are not easily transmitted, or dangerous
to, people. But there is a variety that can cause serious health problems
and even death in humans so again, good hygiene is a MUST.
Treating your puppy with a flea preventative is very effective in
eliminating the danger from these puppy worms.
Whipworms
These particular puppy worms are more common than people think,
maybe because they're generally difficult to detect. Puppy is at risk of
catching whipworms if he eats something that's been in contact with
contaminated soil or feces.
Your veterinarian can make a diagnosis and give appropriate treatment,
which needs to be repeated at specific intervals in order to get rid of all
the worms at different stages of development.
Hookworms
There ar 4 kinds of hookworm and unfortunately the most common one
(which prefers a warm climate) is the most dangerous. Transmitted
through feces, the hookworm thrives in warm soil and is contracted when
the larvae penetrates the skin of it's host.
Humans can also contract hookworm so it's best not to walk barefoot in
the yard or parks where dogs eliminate.
Hookworms can be fatal in young puppies and can cause severe anemia,
diarrhea or pneumonia in older pups. Your veterinarian is the best person
to diagnose and treat this parasitic infection. A regular heartworm
medication can also control and prevent hookworm infestation.