Parasites infect all life forms both plants and animals and are internal and external in pets. A parasite is an organism that needs to live on or in a second organism (people and pets) in order to survive. Parasites are usually harmful to the host organism because they depend on the host for most or all of their nutrients. Many parasites are not species specific and can inhabit more than one type of host species. Diseases transmitted from animals to humans are called zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases from parasites can cause various symptoms in humans such as diarrhea, muscle aches, and fevers. Sometimes infected persons experience severe symptoms that can be life threatening.(1). Many internal parasites are passed to humans through the feces of the infected animal which makes small children especially vulnerable.

New puppies are often born with roundworms. They get them from their mother’s placenta. That’s why we always send home Pyrantel, which is a prescription strength dewormer. There are no known side effects to this dewormer so even if the puppy doesn’t have roundworms there is no harm in giving the medication. It has been shown that many puppies and adult dogs acquire other parasites such as hookworms, giardia, and or coccidia. All of which can profoundly affect their health over time. Testing and treatment are fairly inexpensive when compared with caring for a pet that has been debilitated by parasites.

Since animals can get re-infected with parasites after an infestation, we recommend that you annually check your pet for internal parasites by bringing in a fecal sample. Internal parasite infestations can be prevented with the use of dewormers and heartworm prevention. External parasites should be prevented with the use of flea & tick repellents.

Coccidia

Oocysts of Cystoisospora  species can infect and cause asymptomatic infections in a number of hosts. Infections in humans have been reported in immuno-compromised hosts, but usually with coccidian species NOT found in dogs and cats.

A coccidia infection is treated with Sulfadimethoxine, (Albon), given once a day for 10 days.  This drug is relatively inexpensive and effective in most cases.

RoundWorms

Young puppies and kittens less that 6 months old are most commonly infected with roundworms. T.Canis affects dogs, T cati affects cats and T. leonine affects both dogs and cats. Toxocara spp. eggs within the environment are infective, via ingestion, to people and other dogs and cats. Infection with Toxocarra spp. is the most common cause of human visceral and ocular larva migrans. Young children are most susceptible.

The parasite is usually discovered incidentally during a routine fecal examination, or infection is never detected. In overt cases, presence of worms in feces or diarrhea, a pot-bellied appearance in young puppies or kittens, or occasional vomiting with or without worms may prompt the owner to seek veterinary attention. Typically, no physical abnormalities are noted.  It is possible for young puppies and kittens with severe roundworm infections to have a pot-bellied appearance and /or evidence of diarrhea or intestinal obstruction due to worm burden. IT HAS BEEN SPECULATED THAT ESSENTIALLY ALL PUPPIES HAVE TOXOCARA.

The primary mode of transmission of T. canis is transplacental from the infected bitch to puppies. Puppies and kittens may also be infected with T. canis or T. cati, respectively, by nursing an infected lactating dam or queen. The transmammary route is the principal form of transmission in cats. Fecal-oral transmission is also a possible route of infection, as is ingestion of other host such as rodents. After infection, the parasite may migrate through the liver into the lungs within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract or somatically within the tissues. Puppies and kittens may begin to shed eggs within 2.5 to 3.5 weeks and generally continue to do so until age 4 to 6 months. Eggs are highly resistant and long-lived within the environment.  Children playing in contaminated areas can become affected.

The Center for Disease Control and association of Veterinary Parasitologist recommend de-worming all puppies beginning at 2 weeks with additional treatments at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. These recommendations aim to reduce zoonotic risk by decreasing environmental parasite burden. De-worm puppies and kittens even if fecal results are negative to ensure removal of prepatent worms prior to shedding. Most de-worming medications are effective against Toxocara and many products used for heartworm prevention are also effective against roundworms.  This is a very good reason to have your pet on monthly heartworm prevention medication.

Giardia

Giardia can affect humans and most domestic animals. Younger animals may be more susceptible. Immunodeficient adults, young animals and animals confined in large groups are at increased risk. Giardia does not appear to be highly host specific; spread of infection from dogs and cats to people should be considered possible. Most infections produce no clinical signs. But if diarrhea results, it can be acute and short lived, intermittent or chronic. Fatty stools or weight loss may be observed. Vomiting, fever and anorexia may occur but are not typical. Signs consistent with either acute or chronic large bowel diarrhea occur in cats. A physical exam may show no significant abnormalities.

The giardia life cycle is direct. Cysts are ingested and excyst in the duodenum, each cyst producing two motile trophozites that replicate within the wall of the small intestine. Before being shed in feces, the trophozite encysts. On excretion, the cysts are infective to another host. Cysts can survive for days to weeks in a cool, moist environment. Trophozoites are thought to cause sloughing of intestinal epithelial cells, resulting in blunting of the intestinal villi and subsequent reduction in absorptive surface area causing malabsorption and diarrhea. Abnormalities in the immune system likely predispose individuals to clinical infection. Immunosuppressive drugs may predispose to clinical infection.

Many pets may be cured with prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, but recurrent infections are well documented.  The most effective treatment at this time is the use of fenbendozole  on a daily basis for 5-6 days in a row. It has recently been stated in the literature that the concurrent use of a probiotic may improve the effectiveness of the fenbendozole treatment. It is also recommended to bath the affected animals to eliminate any cysts that are attached to the hair coat. Thoroughly drying any areas, like outside runs, where the animals are kept would also be beneficial.

Heartworm

Heartworm disease in dogs is an infection of Dirofilaria immitis of the arteries and right side of heart. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. All unprotected dogs are at risk of contracting Heartworm disease, more so if they spend a majority of their time outside. Dogs that are infected with Heartworm often show no clinical signs, or minimal signs, such as occasionally coughing. Exercise intolerance and a lot of coughing are associated with moderate pulmonary damage. Signs of an extreme infection would include vomiting blood. A simple blood test can determine if your dog is positive for heartworm. If a positive result occurs then farther testing is needed to determine the number of adult worms that are infecting heart. Based on this information the appropriate medication and treatment plan is selected. If a heartworm test comes back as a negative, using a prophylactic is strongly recommended. Heartgard Plus or another preventative will keep your pet safe from contracting this potentially fatal disease. 

Our philosophy here is that a simple monthly treat that can prevent the spread of heartworm is worth the cost in comparison to losing your pet to a preventable disease. Typically the cost to prevent the growth of heartworms is $5 a month. Well worth it.