Dog and Cat Parasites
Ticks, Fleas, Other Skin Parasites, Heartworms and Intestinal Worms
Mar 3, 2009
Canine and feline parasites are one of the most common health problems seen in our dogs and cats. They can cause numerous, sometimes serious health problems when present. However, most are easily preventable or treatable.
Ticks, Fleas and Other External Parasites
External parasites are those that live on the outside of the body. These parasites include:
- Ticks
- Fleas
- Ear mites
- Demodectic mange mites
- Sarcoptic mange mites
- Lice
- Cheyletiella mites
External parasites can cause the following symptoms:
- Itchiness
- Hair loss
- "Hot spots"
- Scabs
In addition, dog and cat parasites like ticks and fleas can transmit other types of diseases to your pet, including Lyme disease and tapeworms.
Effective control is available and often involves monthly medication with a product such as Revolution, Frontline Plus, Advantage Multi or Promeris. Ancillary treatment may involve various shampoos and/or topical medications to soothe the injured skin while the parasites are eradicated. Additional information about tick control and flea control is readily available.
Heartworms
Heartworms are an extremely serious dog and cat parasite. Heartworms live inside of the heart and larger blood vessels of both dogs and cats and can damage both the heart and the lungs. They are carried by mosquitoes and spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Heartworms in dogs can produce symptoms such as:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Exercise intolerance
- Fluid in the abdomen
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
Dogs should be tested regularly for heartworms. Testing involves a simple blood test.
Heartworm in cats presents a bit differently than in dogs and symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Asthma-like symptoms
Heartworms can cause serious and irreversible damage to your pet's heart and lungs even before they can be detected with available methods. Heartworm treatment is expensive and can be dangerous and painful for your pet. For that reason, heartworm prevention is a much wiser course of action.
Preventing heartworms is simple and involves medications which are administered monthly. Medications can be an oral medication, such as Heartguard Plus, Interceptor, Iverhart Plus or Iverhart Max. Some of these medications are even chewable flavored tablets which makes administration easy for most pets. Also available are topical medications which are applied monthly, such as Revolution and Advantage Multi. All of these medications are very effective and many also have the additional benefit of preventing other types of feline and canine parasites as well.
Intestinal Worms
Intestinal worms affecting dogs and cats include:
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Tapeworms
- Giardia (this is actually not a worm but is an intestinal parasite)
- Coccidia (again, not actually a worm)
Symptoms associated with these parasites include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
There are many different medications available to treat these parasites. Many of the monthly heartworm preventive medications also help prevent roundworms and hookworms. Some of them also help prevent whipworms and tapeworms as well.
Have your veterinarian test your pet's feces regularly for intestinal parasites. If the test is positive, your pet's veterinarian can help you choose the safest product for your pet. Possible choices include:
- Pyrantel pamoate for roundworms and hookworms
- Fenbendazole for roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Giardia
- Metronidazole for Giardia
- Sulfadimethoxine or other sulfa drugs for coccidia
- Praziquantel for tapeworms
- And many other medications
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
