Catawba Heights Animal Hospital - Contact Us
Why is it important to deworm your dog?
Worms are parasites that live in your dog's stomach and intestines. Dogs can acquire these parasites from their environment, their mother's milk, or even from other parasites. Common parasites found in dogs include roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and coccidia. Certain parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, can be transmitted to humans, leading to severe health issues, especially in children. Therefore, it's vital to maintain good hygiene around your pets and prevent them from licking your face.
How can intestinal parasites impact my pet's health and wellbeing?
Intestinal parasites attach to the lining of your pet's intestines, weakening their immune system and making them more susceptible to diseases like parvovirus. These parasites can also cause diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia. Severe infestations can even be fatal. Therefore, it's important to use heartworm preventions that also target these intestinal parasites.
Would you be able to see worms in your dog's stool?
Roundworms and tapeworms are visible in your dog's stool, but hookworms are not. However, we now have more sensitive fecal antigen tests that can detect these parasites, even when they are not visible in the stool.
What is the difference between natural remedies and over-the-counters compared to prescription medications?
Prescription medications are generally more effective at eliminating worms than over-the-counter dewormers. The type of dewormer used should be based on the results of a parasite exam. It may take several treatments to completely eliminate the worm burden in your dog's intestines.
If you have any other questions, please give us a call at (704) 827-0616. You can also email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we are able. Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram