Creepy Crawler and What You Should Know!

 

The following is a summary of the most commonly diagnosed parasites.  It is important to remember that some are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from pets to people.  If a human infestation is suspected, please contact your physician.  Always properly dispose of feces to prevent yard infestation and any transmission to pets or humans.  Always practice proper hygiene by washing hands after handling feces.

 

1) Roundworms:  This intestinal parasite is also referred to as “rounds” or  “ascarids” .  This is the parasite that causes puppies and kittens to have those pot bellies.  Dams transmit rounds to the pups during gestation and through the milk.  Pets my vomit up this spaghetti  looking worm and can pass it in the stools.  Puppies and the any dogs in contact with the pups, especially the dam should be dewormed  starting at 2- 3 weeks old and repeat the treatment every 2 weeks for 4-5 more treatments.  Generally, Pyrantel is the drug used to treat roundworms.  These are ZOONOTIC and cause blindness in humans.

 

2) Hookworms:  This intestinal parasite is very small and hard to see in the stools. “Hooks” have very large teeth that actually bite into your pet’s intestines causing bleeding.  Because they live in the upper portion of the intestines, the blood gets digested in the intestines, causing black, tarry stools.  Common treatments for Hooks include Pyrantel, Fenbendazole (Panacure) and Drontal Plus. These are ZOONOTIC and cause cutaneous migrans in humans, which is a skin condition.  This skin condition is also known as “plumber’s itch” in humans.

 

3) Whipworms:  This intestinal parasite is again very difficult to see in the stool.  It is more commonly found in adult dogs.  It causes mucoid, soft stools, or “cow pie” stools.  Whips can live in the soil for up to 9 years! Proper stool disposal is crucial for prevention.  Common treatments include Pyrantel, Fenbendazole, and Drontal Plus.  Dogs with Whips, should be on year around  Interceptor.

 

4) Tapeworms:  This intestinal parasite is also referred to as “tapes” and transmitted from fleas.  However, rabbits can also transmit a species of tapes.  Tapes will look like rice or cucumber seeds in the stool, and often fleas will be found on the pet.  Common treatments for tapes include Cestex and Drontal Plus.  Flea treatment is also needed if tapes are found.

 

5) Coccidia:  This parasite is a protozoa- which is a single celled microscopic organism.  Coccidia is species specific, meaning dogs have there own, as do cats, cows, goats, etc.  All ages of animals are equally susceptible.  It will often be found in moist, humid conditions -summer time and in kennel areas.  Animals “under stress” will also shed coccidia.  Contrary to popular myth, there is no preventative for coccidia, there is only the common treatment, Albon. 

 

6) Giardia:   This is also a protozoal parasite.  It is more commonly found in young animals and in animals who live near or frequent ponds, streams and lakes.  Clinical signs include watery, bloody diarrhea with cramping of the intestines.  Historically treatment has been Metronidazole (Flagyl) or Fenbendazole, but the newer and more effective treatment is Drontal Plus.  This is ZOONOTIC and often affects campers, hikers and  hunters.  It is referred to as “beaver fever” in humans.

 

7) Fleas:  We all know these little black-brown, cigar shaped jumping pests!  Fleas are commonly found on the neck, head, tail base and groin regions of your pet. They can cause severe itching , secondary skin infections and anemia (loss of blood).  Mammals, humans, birds and even spiders can get fleas.  Prevention is easy- Using Frontline Plus topically once a month is the best for both prevention and treatment.  Gone are the days of  powders, collars, dips and shampoos- most are messy and don’t work as fleas have grown resistant to the older products.  However, for severe infestations, household treatments, lots of vacuuming, and even a pest control professional may be needed.  Remember, for every 1 flea on your  pet, there is 100 more in your carpet or furniture!  Also remember that fleas do not live on your pet, they feed on your pet, or you, and then jump off and live in the environment.  Fleas as previously mentioned, transmit tapeworms.

 

8) Ticks:  Although very small when not attached to your pet or you, these blood suckers can swell up as big as a grape while feeding.  There are many different species of ticks depending on where you live.  Ticks do not jump, but instead are quite lazy and fall onto pets or you.  Thus why often found on tall brush or grasses..  Ticks carry multiple diseases, with the best known being Lyme disease.  Ticks are commonly found on the head, ears, neck and shoulders.  Frontline Plus effectively kills ticks, but it will not prevent attachment of ticks.  Ticks have to be attached for 72 hours to transmit diseases.

 

9) Mange: There are 2 main types of mange we deal with.

                A) Demodex:  Some breeds, including Great Danes seem to be predisposed to demodex, the microscopic cigar shaped mite. Diagnosed by clinical signs (hair loss and itchiness), skin scrapes, and by plucking hairs to look at the follicles under the microscope.  There is also a relationship to demodex and immune related problems.  Treatments include Mitaban dips, Ivermectin,   Milbemycin (Interceptor), with Mitaban dips generally the most effective.

                B) Sarcoptes: This is another type of mange, although generally not as common as demodex.  Diagnosed and treated as demodex, the major differences are, sarcoptes is extremely itchy and is ZOONOTIC, thus can  infest humans.