All About Parasites in Dogs
What are some common parasites in dogs?
Some of the common parasites in dogs include internal parasites like heartworm disease, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and other intestinal parasites. There are also external parasites like fleas, ticks, lice, and mites.
How can you tell if your dog has parasites?
Ways to notice if your dog has some of these parasites include symptoms for internal parasites like vomiting, diarrhea, a bloated belly, blood in their stool, and changes in appetite. For external parasites, they can sometimes be itchy, lose fur, or have ulcerations or scabs on their skin.
How are parasites diagnosed in dogs?
For intestinal parasites, we do a fecal sample. For heartworms, we perform a heartworm test, which involves a blood sample. For external parasites, we usually diagnose them through a physical exam, the use of a flea comb, or by taking skin samples and examining them under a microscope.
How are parasites treated in dogs?
For intestinal parasites, we usually use an oral dewormer. For external parasites, oral flea prevention treats most of them.
Heartworm disease is a bit more complicated to treat, so we typically recommend keeping pets on heartworm prevention year-round because it's less expensive and easier to prevent the disease.
Can humans get parasites from dogs?
Humans can sometimes get parasites from their dogs, such as some intestinal parasites. Some external parasites can also affect humans.
If you’re searching for veterinary care you can rely on, we’re here to help. Call (814) 756-4441 or email [email protected] to schedule your pet’s appointment. Our team is committed to keeping them healthy.