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Roundworms hookworms and whipworms are the most common Internal parasites your dog may get over the course of its life.
Unlike mites, ticks and fleas which are all parasites but live externally to the animal, internal parasites can be just as or more dangerous, and much, much harder to diagnose.
The three most common types of internal parasites in dogs are roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.
Roundworms are often picked up by puppies before they are born. In fact, many recent reports are stating that as much as 80 percent of the puppy population will contract roundworms at one stage of their development.
This is particularly important for the fact that roundworms can pass to humans, and occasionally cause harm. A possible scenario would be a puppy with roundworms excreting in a family yard, and even after a clean-up, traces of that deposit may remain - a child playing on that patch of ground becomes vulnerable. If that child rub's their eyes, the roundworm may infect and damage the tissue, possibly causing blindness.
Roundworms are generally bad for your dogs health because they sit in the intestines and consume nutrients that your growing puppy needs.
Diagnosis of roundworms is usually via fecal sample by your veterinarian. Because of the numbers, your Vet may choose to treat your puppy for roundworms even if they do not present. Puppies with roundworm can have a dull coat, diarrhea, and a bloated abdomen.
Adult dogs can and do catch roundworms accidentally by ingesting eggs from the ground. Adults do have some resistance and so may not present the symptoms to a large degree. It's important to have your Vet do a check-up each year.
Hookworms, much like roundworms, live in the intestines and drain important nutrients, in addition to blood. It can be more harmful overall than roundworms, and is more aggressive. It can go so far as to kill a puppy by depriving it of nutrients. Dogs with hookworms will appear anemic and show weight loss.
Whipworms are less common than roundworms or hookworms. Whipworm eggs can survive on the ground for long periods of time, and will only mature if ingested. The main symptom of whipworms is diarrhea with blood or mucus.
Whipworms are particularly strong, and may need multiple treatments to be destroyed. In addition, cleaning your home environment is vital to eradicate them and prevent re-infection. This means that you have to bleach any concrete that may have been defecated upon, and dig up the earth in the backyard that may have been defecated upon, replacing it with fresh soil.
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| Basic Dog Health |
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| Adult Dog Care |
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