You may help prevent your dog from internal parasites by keeping your yard feces-free and avoiding allowing your dog to drink standing water. Don’t let their small size deceive you: internal parasites may be little, but they may wreak havoc on your pet’s health. Heartworms, intestinal worms (such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms), and protozoa (single-celled) parasites like coccidia and Giardia are the most prevalent internal pet parasites.
Tips for Controlling Your Pet’s Internal Parasites
Some of these parasites may cause life-threatening infections if left untreated. Here are seven easy measures to keeping your pet parasite-free.
1. Speak with your veterinarian.
Inquire with your veterinarian about the parasites that are prevalent in your region. Certain internal parasites are less of a worry in certain sections of the nation, while others need year-round protection.
Your veterinarian that does veterinary surgery in Laguna Woods will be able to advise you on what to look out for based on your region, how these parasites may be spread to your pet, and prescribe the best preventative products.
2. Be watchful for indicators of disease.
Some parasite-infected dogs exhibit no indications of sickness. That is why frequent testing and prevention are critical. When indications develop, it is helpful to know what to look for. Although not all parasites produce the same illness symptoms in dogs, the most frequent symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and blood in your pet’s feces.
Coughing and trouble breathing are symptoms of heartworms. If you see any of these symptoms in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately to discover why.
3. Administer preventative medicines to your pet.
Many of these intestinal parasites may be prevented with a few inexpensive drugs. Many veterinarians advise providing these cat and dog vaccination and parasite prevention meds all year. Even while you’re on vacation, consistency is crucial. If you skip a few doses, see your veterinarian.
4. Maintain a feces-free yard.
Good cleanliness is one of the most effective strategies to limit your pet’s exposure risk to parasites. That involves cleaning up after your dog – all canine excrement in your yard should be cleaned up since most intestinal parasites are transferred via contact with feces.
Because certain parasites may remain in the soil for a long period, a fecal-contaminated yard can be a source of exposure for many months. See here to learn more about it.
5. Have your veterinarian do a fecal check regularly.
Bring a new sample of your pet’s feces every year (or every six months for certain dogs) when you see your veterinarian for a checkup. This sample may be tested for parasites by your veterinarian. Intestinal parasites are especially dangerous to young dogs.
If you have a new puppy or kitten, bring a feces sample to the initial veterinarian visit. This will assist your pet get started to a good start. This is vital information that you should relay to your veterinarian.
6. Do not allow your dog to consume excrement.
Eating feces is a great method to take up parasites since many parasitic worms are shed into an animal’s excrement. It is critical to keep your pet from ingesting feces by quickly disposing of the waste or walking your dog on a leash while in an area where fecal matter from other animals may be accessible.
Conclusion
Standing water is an ideal breeding area for Giardia, a parasite that may cause severe diarrhea. Never allow your pet to drink from standing water or puddles, and always give your pet a clean, fresh supply of water to help prevent him from seeking water elsewhere. Protecting your pet from internal parasites is essential to keep him healthy and happy. All it takes is an effort to keep these little pests from bothering your pet.
