How often does my pet need to be de-wormed?

Types of Parasites:

Roundworms (Ascarids) are the most common intestinal parasite of dogs and cats. Pets become infected by swallowing roundworm eggs found in contaminated soil or feces, or by eating infected rodents, birds and certain insects. Puppies and kittens are commonly infected by their mother while she is pregnant.

Hookworms live in the small intestine. They feed on the blood of their host and can cause severe anemia. In young, weak, or malnourished animals, hookworms can cause sudden collapse and death. Weight loss, diarrhea and tarry or bloody stools can occur in animals with hookworms.

Tapeworms are worms that live in the intestines of dogs and cats. Tapeworms are not passed directly from pet to pet, but require an intermediate host in which to develop. Common intermediate hosts are fleas and small animals, such as mice, rats, squirrels and rabbits. Segments that are passed in the stool are yellowish to white, about ¼ inch long and can resemble grains of rice. Segments may be found in your pet's bedding, or clinging to the hair around the anus.

Whipworms are small, thin worms that live in the cecum and large intestine. Eggs are passed in the stool. Whipworms can cause diarrhea, bloody feces, and poor general health. Massive rectal bleeding can occasionally occur.

Giardia is an intestinal parasite of people, dogs, cats and other animals. Giardia is caused by ingesting the Giardia organism from contaminated stool, food, or water. The most common sign of infection is persistent diarrhea, with pale, greasy and occasionally blood-tinged stool. Giardia prevents proper absorption of nutrients, damages the delicate intestinal lining, and interferes with digestion. Giardia can be difficult to identify microscopically and may require multiple stool samples or special staining techniques to diagnose.

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the small and large intestine caused by rupturing cells of the small intestine, which often leads to bleeding. This disease spreads from one animal to another by contact with infected feces. It is most severe in young or weak animals and often causes bloody diarrhea.

Preventing Internal Parasites

How can I tell if my pet has a dental problem?

What things should I expect as my dog ages?

Slowing down You may notice that your dog slows down some with aging. This isn't always the case, but look for subtle changes in how he/she gets up, lays down, and uses stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the weather make it worse? Arthritis is common in dogs as they age, particularly large breeds. Arthritis can occur in any joint, most commonly the legs and back. There are many different medications available to help ease the discomfort of arthritis. Check with your Veterinary if you notice any signs of slowing down in your dog.

One other potential cause as slowing down is hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder common in dogs. This condition is easily diagnosed and treated with proper veterinary care.

How do dogs become infected with heartworms?

What are the signs of heartworm infection and how Is diagnosed?

What age does my pet need to start Heartworm preventative?

Making the Decision

What happens when an animal is euthanized?

Some veterinarians prefer to give a sedative tranquilizer prior to the euthanasia drug, which is given in the vein. The tranquilizer is usually given by injection under the skin. The animal is then restful and the owner may elect to spend some quiet time saying good-bye. Each case is different, for instance, if the animal is already on an IV catheter or certain medical conditions dictate otherwise.

At this point, the owner may say good-bye to their pet and leave the veterinarian to complete the task. Other owners will choose to spend some quiet time now and stay for the whole procedure. There is no right or wrong way to handle this. This is entirely a the choice of each pet owner.

The euthanasia drug itself is an overdose of a barbiturate that stops the heart and breathing muscles. This is administered through an IV catheter or with a needle and syringe.

After Euthanasia

There are several options for taking care of the deceased pet's body. You may chose to leave the body with the veterinarian or may chose to have a pet cremation. You can discuss these options and others with your veterinarian.

Understanding Grief and Loss