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Protecting Cats and Dogs from Intestinal Parasites
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Infection of intestinal parasites is a common health problem that is shared by young cats and dogs. However, it is difficult to know when they exist among our pets. Although many people assume that a pet with parasites will pass diarrhea or an abnormal stool, frequently, this is not the case.
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A pet with mild or initial stages of infection will often display no symptoms at all. On the other hand, heavy infection can be debilitating, causing weight loss, bloody stools, diarrhea, and vomiting. It is truly important to have your vet regularly check your pets for these intestinal pests not only to keep your pets away from them but also to avoid health hazards among people.
Its time to get to know these pesky parasites;
· A parasite is an organism that derives nourishment by feeding on or within another animal. The most noted parasites are worms, and the two most common intestinal worms among cats and dogs are roundworms and tapeworms.
· Roundworms. These parasites infect dogs and cats more frequently than any other worm parasite. Many puppies are born with roundworms. A dog or cat can also become infected by eating infective roundworm eggs. Pets come into contact with the eggs by eating an infected mouse or other rodents or by eating the stools of other pets.
Pets infected with roundworms are usually potbellied and often vomit whole roundworms. They often pass diarrhea and have a rough hair coat. Heavy roundworm infection can damage our pet’s lungs, liver, and brain, and can even result to death.
· Tapeworms. They can cause weight loss or loose stools among pets. Unlike many intestinal parasites, tapeworms leave a sort of calling card. When a pet is infected with tapeworms, owners will frequently find proglottids or egg sacs on their pet’s fresh stool or on the pet’s fur near the rectum. Fresh proglottids look like rice grains, while dried ones look like sesame seeds.
· Whipworms and hookworms. This infection occurs when pet eats whipworm eggs. A dog with whipworms will often strain to defecate and will pass blood-tinged feces or watery diarrhea. Severe whipworm infection can cause life-threatening dehydration and anemia.
Hookworms, on the other hand, occurs when pets either swallow hookworm larvae or the larvae burrow into the pet’s skin. Once inside the pet, the larvae migrate to the small bowel and mature into adults.
· Parasitic Protozoa. Coccidia protozoa and Giardia protozoa could be dangerous to you pets too. Coccidia are tiny parasites that live and multiply in the lining of the intestines of dogs and cats, while Giardia are found in the environment and in the contaminated waterways.
The best way to identify the presence of parasites in your pet is to bring him or her to the vet. A vet run special tests to determine which parasite is present and what medication to give your pet.
You can help prevent your dog or cat from becoming infected with intestinal parasites by picking your pet’s stools after he or she defacates. Cleaning dog runs and concrete kennels with diluted beach solution helps to eliminate parasites too.
The Pfizer Animal Health Group, a Pfizer division that produces vaccines, antibiotics and anti-parasitics for companion animals reminds owners that deworming pets is still the best way to keep them from these parasites. Available Pfizer dewormers are Canex Multispectrum (all-wormer) Tablet and Canex Puppy suspension.
Puppies and kittens should also have a stool examination performed each time they receive vaccination. This way, you can help treat and prevent this health problem among your most-loved pets.
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