The thought of creepy parasites nesting in your dog’s intestinal system can be nauseating. Unfortunately, it’s a common issue for many dog owners. These parasites cause a wide range of symptoms. Severe infestations are often fatal.
What are these intestinal parasites in dogs? How do vets treat them? Penny Paws Animal Clinic, the top choice for pet owners in need of a mobile veterinarian in Dallas, TX, covers all the details in this post.
What Are Intestinal Parasites in Dogs?
Intestinal parasite is a blanket term for all kinds of parasites living inside your dog’s intestinal tract. It may also cover a few parasites living inside your dog but outside the digestive tract. These organisms put down roots inside your dog, feeding and reproducing. Â
The impact of the parasite activity means a range of symptoms such as inflammation, stomach upset, anemia, and more.
As a dog parent, you must get your dog checked for parasites regularly if you want to keep them healthy. It’s easy to treat cases of intestinal parasites if they are detected early.
Most Common Types of Intestinal Parasites in Dogs
Some of the most common types of intestinal parasites in dogs include the following.
Tapeworms
Dogs get tapeworms by ingesting infected fleas. As the tapeworms grow, your dog will experience intestinal distress. Tapeworms also lead to stunted growth in younger dogs.
Hookworms
Dogs pick up hookworms by ingesting the droppings of other infected dogs or picking food off contaminated surfaces. Once inside, the hookworms latch onto the dog’s intestines to feed on blood.
Severe infestations lead to anemia and other serious symptoms.
Roundworms
Roundworms are another type of intestinal parasite transmitted to dogs through exposure to infected fecal matter. The worms inhibit the nutrient absorption process in dogs. Therefore, moderate to severe roundworm infection in dogs can lead to stunted growth.
Whipworms
Whipworms live in the large intestine and colon. Dogs pick them up in contaminated food and water. Once attached, they feed on blood. Whipworms cause weight loss, diarrhea, and anemia in severe cases.
Giardia
Giardia is a microscopic protozoan that thrives in the small intestines of dogs. They pick up these parasites in contaminated water, food, and environments. Severe infestations lead to diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, and weight loss without treatment.
Giardia affects adult dogs, but it is most common in puppies.
Coccidia
Coccidia are another group of protozoan parasites that thrive in the intestines of dogs. Some of the common symptoms of coccidiosis include abdominal upset, dehydration, diarrhea, and weight loss. Ignoring the infection for too long often leads to death.
How Vets Treat Intestinal Parasites in Dogs
The treatment approach your vet will adopt depends on the severity of the infestation and the type of parasite. It’s important to follow the recommended treatment plan to prevent a resurgence of the parasites.
Hookworm
Veterinarians recommend prescription oral medications to get rid of adult hookworms. Your dog may need to undergo treatment several times to ensure there are no leftover hookworms. Your vet will carry out a fecal exam following each visit to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
To keep your pet healthy after treatment, you must remove all feces from your yard immediately after your dog defecates to prevent soil contamination. Place the feces into a plastic bag, seal it, and throw it in the trash. Wash off all beddings your dog has had contact with, including their sleeping bag.
Be careful when handling feces or potentially contaminated bedding to avoid getting infected yourself.
Roundworm
Many breeders place puppies on a heartworm preventive and roundworm anti-parasitic medication once they are a few weeks old. If your dog shows the signs of these parasites, your vet will recommend an oral course of treatment that will immobilize any existing worms and their eggs.
Tapeworm
Veterinarians treat tapeworm infestation with oral or injected anti-parasitic medications. These medications will dissolve the tapeworm in the intestine. The vet will complete fecal exams to confirm the dissolution and that no further evidence of tapeworm activity remains.
Giardia
Giardia is difficult to eliminate. Your vet will recommend different medications while trying to clear out these parasites from your dog’s intestinal tracts. Your dog may need some intravenous rehydration if the infestation has spread significantly and left the dog severely dehydrated.
The vet will complete multiple fecal tests throughout treatment. You can reduce reinfestation by washing the dog’s water bowl daily and giving it fresh water several times per day. You also need to wash any bedding your dog came in contact with.
Coccidia
The treatment for coccidia infestation is similar to the treatment for giardia above. The veterinarian will administer various anti-parasitic medications and antibiotics after a fecal exam to determine the severity of the infestation.
Your dog may also need some anti-diarrhea medication and IV support for rehydration.
The above is just an overview of how veterinarians treat intestinal parasites in dogs. Oral injections and medications form the crux of treatment, but some severe cases may require surgical intervention.
Additionally, you must avoid so-called homeopathic or natural remedies. Many of them are ineffective and will only encourage further spread of the parasites. In worst-case scenarios, they may damage your dog’s internal organs.
Get Treatment for Intestinal Parasites in Dogs at Penny Paws Animal Clinic
Do you think your dog has intestinal parasites? The Penny Paws Animal Clinic can help. Our veterinarians have extensive experience in helping dogs of all ages make a clean recovery from intestinal parasite infestations.
We’ll carefully evaluate your dog’s condition and recommend a course of treatment that will have them back in optimum health soon.
If your dog is losing weight for no apparent reason or vomiting or stooling more frequently, we recommend booking a fecal test today.
Contact the Penny Paws Animal Clinic team in Texas today for effective treatment of intestinal parasites in dogs. We’re here to help you keep your dog happy.
