Heartworms, Roundworms and Hookworms
The annoying whine of a mosquito can signal more than just an itchy inconvenience. A single mosquito bite can be lethal to your dog if heartworm is trasmitted. And since it can take months before the Symptoms become apparent, heartworm is often referred to as the "silent killer:
Heartworm is a parasitic disease that can affect any dog regardless of age, sex or habitat. Spread by mosquitoes, it is found virtually all parts of the United States and many parts of Canada. Heartworms live in the blood of a dog's heart and adjancent blood vessels, grow from twleve inches in lenght, reach maturation one year after the infection and live for five to seven years. Adult heartworms living in the heat produce offspring, known as microfilariae, which circulate in the animal's blood. When a female mosquito bites and infected an infected animal, it sucks out ht eblood containing the microfilariae. When the mosquito bites another pet, the infected larvae are transmitted and the cycle begins again.
Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, coughing, fatigue, listlessness, weigh loss and rough hair coat.
Roundworms, Hookworms and other worms: These parasites are picked up through exposure to contaminated soil or feces. They attach themselves to the intestinal wall and feed on the dog's blood (hookworms) or literally swin in the dog's digesting food (roundworms). They can cause discomfort and health deterioration if left untreated.
• Roundworms: Puppies acquire them form their mothers before they are born (look like spaghetti).
• Hookworms: Inhabit intestine where they ingest blood (need fecal examination is required).
• Whipworms: Caused by unhygenic living conditions (need fecal examination is required). Tapeworms: Usually fleas but also rabbitts and rodents. (rice like pieces around the anus.
• Coccidia: Infection caused by unhygenic, crowed living conditions (fecal examination).
• Giardia: Infection through drinking contaminated water (fecal examination).
Though rare, transmission to humans is possible through direct contact with contaminants, ( for example young children ingesting soil contaminated with feces). Keep stray dogs and cats away from play areas, was hands often, and ensure that your dog is properly protected.
Intestinal worms and parasites are extremely common in dogs:
a) Roundworm: Look like spaghetti in puppy’s feces
b) Hookworm: Invisible to naked eye so fecal examination is required to detect them. Dogs may be infected through mother’s milk. (inhabit intestine where they digest blood)
c) Whipworm: Invisible to the naked eye, caused by unhygenic living conditions. (large intestine)
d) Tapeworm: Segments of worms visible in feces or dried rice-like pieces around anus. (small intestine) They are usually harmless.
e) Coccidia: Microscopic fecal examination (unhygenic living conditions). Usually diarrhea.
f) Giardia: Infection through drinking contaminated water. Microscopic examination. Diarrhea and may also infect humans.
g) Heartworm: Carried by mosquitoes and inhabit in the heart. Simple blood test. Typical signs ar coughing, rapid breathing, exercise intolerance, weight loss, sudden death.