Treating and Preventing Intestinal Worms in Pets
Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms & Other Common Intestinal Parasites
Apr 20, 2009
Intestinal parasites are common problems in dogs and cats. These parasites may be worms or other types of parasites that infest the intestinal tract and they are especially common in kittens and puppies, though they can be found in dogs and cats of all ages.
The most common intestinal worms seen in dogs and cats are:
- roundworms
- hookworms
- whipworms
- tapeworms
Other intestinal parasites which can infest the intestinal tract but are not worms include:
- coccidia
- Giardia
- Cryptosporidium
- Toxoplasma
- Trichomonas
How do Dogs and Cats Become Infected with Intestinal Parasites?
The method of infection varies depending on the type of parasite. Potential methods of exposure to intestinal parasites are:
- ingestion of infected fecal material
- exposure through contaminated soil
- ingestion of intermediate hosts (other animals which are carrying the parasite)
- ingestion of fleas
- ingestion of undercooked or raw meats
What Types of Symptoms are Expected with Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats?
Symptoms will vary depending on the type of parasite infecting the dog or cat. Symptoms resulting from intestinal parasites can range from no clinical signs to serious and life threatening illness. Some dogs and cats may be infected with more than one type of intestinal parasite.
Symptoms most commonly seen with intestinal parasites include:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- lack of appetite
- pot-belly
- unthriftiness
- weight loss
- dehydration
- death in severe cases
How are Intestinal Parasites in Dogs or Cats Diagnosed?
The most common test performed to diagnose intestinal parasites is a microscopic fecal analysis which looks for adult parasites, their eggs and other stages of the lifecycle.
Many parasites are very small and may not be visible without magnification. Visually inspecting a fecal sample, though sometimes helpful in detecting worms in the intestinal tract, is not an accurate measure of the absence of worms. In other worms, pet owners should not assume that their pet does not have intestinal parasites because they do not see them in their pet's feces.
Some parasites are shed intermittently and, as a result, it may be necessary to have the feces examined more than once to rule out parasites.
Parasites most easily detected through microscopic analysis of the feces are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia and sometimes tapeworms and Giardia.
Tapeworms are most often identified by seeing tapeworm segments around the anal region or in the feces of an infected animal.
Other intestinal parasites, such as Giardia, Cryptosporidia, Trichomonas and Toxoplasma usually require more specialized testing of either the feces or the blood.
How are Intestinal Parasites Treated in Dogs and Cats
Treatment for intestinal parasites varies depending on the type of parasite diagnosed and should be tailored to meet the needs of the individual animal based on an accurate diagnosis of intestinal parasites or high suspicion of the presence of intestinal parasites.
Can Intestinal Parasites by Prevented in Dogs and Cats?
There are a number of steps which can be taken to help protect a pet from becoming infected with intestinal parasites.
- Do not allow dogs and cats to eat uncooked or raw meat.
- Do not allow dogs and cats to hunt. Restrict all cats to the indoors.
- Use effective flea control.
- Promptly clean all feces from yards and gardens. Keep litter boxes clean by scooping daily.
- Puppies and kittens are quite often routinely wormed against parasites such as roundworms and hookworms when they are as young as 2 weeks old.
- Many of the monthly heartworm preventive medications can help prevent intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. The types of parasites prevented will depend on the product used.
- A fecal analysis should be performed on all dogs and cats periodically, usually once every 6-12 months.
 |
