how parasites affect dogs

Puppies can be exposed to worms in the womb and through nursing. Deworming should start around 2–3 weeks old, and they should receive an additional dose every two weeks until 8–12 weeks old. This helps remove any worms the puppy was re-exposed to from the environment. Also, deworming only treats worms in the intestines, but not all worms stay there. If the deworming misses these migrating worms once, it can catch them on the next dose.

Fleas are very fast, small, wingless insects. If you can't find the flea again to confirm an infestation, you can also look for the flea “dirt.” These small brown-black flecks, usually found on skin and hair, are actually flea feces. Once fleas are in the home, they multiply rapidly. It’s important to begin a flea preventive to stop a flea outbreak.

Talk to your vet about what product is best for your dog and lifestyle. Your vet may also want to discuss deworming (since fleas carry tapeworms, a parasite not treated by most regular dewormers) and offer some tips about how to safely treat your home to remove all flea life stages.

Your sweet puppy may look the picture of health, but their immune system isn’t quite developed yet. This puts them in special danger of a serious parasite infection, which can spread from other pets, infected poop particles, infested prey, water, fleas, mosquitos, and even parasite cysts that their mamas (completely innocently) may pass to them in the womb.

This is one reason why lifelong veterinary care can be so important. Physical exams, vaccinations, deworming, and advice on parasite control and solid nutrition are great ways to help your puppy grow up healthy and help keep their immune systems strong.

Having parasites isn’t normal for dogs, although it is common. And there’s no general rule on how long any given pet can survive with an infestation, but parasites can lead to disease, damage internal organs, and even result in premature death.

If you suspect your pet has parasites, please reach out to your veterinary team. We can work with you to help treat parasites, plus recommend safe and effective parasite prevention to help protect your pet.

Trying to treat parasites at home without a vet can be actively dangerous for your dog. Using home and “natural” cures like tea tree oil, garlic, and apple cider vinegar won’t stop an infestation and may even hurt your dog.

Your veterinary team has the tests, tools, and expertise to inform a diagnosis and treatment for the dog you love. We can also recommend trusted effective prevention meds to help protect your dog, which can also help to protect the rest of your pet-and-people family.

Fleas, ticks, many intestinal worms, single-celled stomach bugs, and more can pass from pets to people and people to pets.

Help protect everyone under your roof with good home, food, and personal hygiene. Make sure your dog is on year-round parasite prevention, scoop and bag dog poop promptly, and always carefully wash your hands after touching pets and poop.

Although sometimes evidence of certain parasites can be seen on your pet (or even in their stool) without examination, a microscopic examination of your pet’s stool will allow your vet to make a definitive diagnosis of a specific parasite.

Treatment:

We’ll start with a complete physical exam of your dog. If you suspect worms or any other kind of intestinal bug, let us know if you can bring in a sample of their poop. (Don’t worry about disgusting us, it really does help! Just use a clean container.)

We may want to run a few tests before recommending treatment, which may include deworming medications, antibiotics, medicated shampoos, and more.

Please follow all directions from your vet to help your pet. Parasites can be stubborn, so we may want to see your dog for a follow-up visit to ensure they’re on the mend.

Prevention:

Help protect your pet against fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworm with year-round parasite prevention. Just ask us which medications we recommend for your special friend’s species, location, and lifestyle.