Pet Parasites

Keeping Your Pet Parasite Free

Parasites can be external or internal. Lets take a look at a few of the most common pet parasites and what makes our pet prime targets. They are not only a threat to our pet but can be passed on to our family members.

Animals provide the perfect living environment for parasite. Pet hair is the breeding ground for external parasites. Fleas, ticks and mites, are all examples of this type of parasite and are generally easy to spot. They live on or burrow into your pets skin and usually cause discomfort and scratching right off the bat. You can see fleas in your pets fur by using a comb to lift the hair up off of the skin. Fleas are small, wingless, brown and fast moving. Some pets are allergic to flea saliva, and therefore causes the skin to become inflamed.

If your pet does carry pathogens your cat may become easily infected because cats ingest 50 percent while grooming themselves. If your pet has fleas you may have considered using a dip. We caution against this method because in fact dips are very toxic, inducing severe side effects such as vomiting, fever, seizures, coma and even in some instances, death. Instead of dipping your veterinarian can suggest alternative safe and effective products.

Another common parasite is the tick, especially during the summer months. Ticks can be found looking for a free ride. Though they prefer to hang out in wooded, damp and grassy areas before attaching themselves to your pet. Tick bites can be harmless. However, they can cause anemia, skin damage and irritation. Some of the most common disease transmitted by ticks are lime disease, tick-bourne fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If left untreated these diseases can cause health problems and or even become fatal. The best preventative is to check your pets skin and fur after spending a day in the woods, at the local lake, the beach or even in your own backyard. If you try removing a tick, don't try burning it off you may burn your pet. Instead, use an alcohol swab placed around the area will loosen the grip of the tick. Using tweezers grab a hold of the tick and pull. Then place the tick in a jar of alcohol. Do not try and flush it down the drain. It could come back at an opportune time.

Another critter to look for is the mite. Lots of owners are familiar with ear mites. If you notice your pet scratching his ear intensely and biting himself he could have ear mites. These pest leave a brown or black crust on the outer ear. Another type of mite is scabies. After burrowing into your pets skin, scabies mites lay eggs. Once hatched the larvae feed on your pet's skin and release a secretion that causes sever itching. You must however take your pet to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect scabies mites, as they are highly contagious, and the excessive scratching they cause can lead to infection. The best treatment for scabies mites is from your veterinarian as at home treatments most likely won't work.

Almost all puppies and kittens have some type of internal parasite lurking in them,
feeding on there blood and protein. These parasites can affect your pet from absorbing required nutrients. Without treatment, they can potentially damage the lining of the intestinal tract. The most common are the tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms and roundworms.

Tapeworms can be passed through fleas, which sometimes carry the parasite in its larval stage. Outside pets are most susceptible from eating infected rodents. If you notice your pet licking his anal area, your best bet is to visually inspect the area and his stool for bits or tapeworm, which look like rice.

Hookworms attach themselves to your pet's intestinal lining, causing bloody or dark diarrhea.

Whipworms, which can be found in the large intestine, can cause blood and diarrhea. If you notice this take a sample to your vet because the worms do lay eggs and are only seen by microscope.

Last but not least the roundworm, which lives in the small intestine. These worms cause vomiting and resemble strands of spaghetti in your pet's stool. They can easily be transmitted to humans, especially children. These worms can cause serious human health problems, including blindness.

You can protect your family and pet. Remember your children playing in the sandbox, the neighborhood cat may like it too. If your garden or sandbox have become his litter box, the family could be at risk of contracting roundworms through fecal-oral transmission. The best preventatives are to cover the sandbox, wear gloves when gardening, and constantly wash your hands after being outside. Collecting a stool sample each year and taking your, pet to the veterinarian will help ensure he is worm free.

Most heartworm medicines now contain a preventative for whipworm, roundworm and hookworm, so be sure to follow your vet's recommended dosage. Also pay attention to your pet. If you notice changes for instance your pet rubbing his bottom on the carpet, scratching his ears, vomiting, passing blood, diarrhea, turning his nose up at his food bowl, or just not being himself is a hint that something is wrong. Preventative measures will protect the health of all your loved ones.

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