How to know if your dog is infected with parasites

Pets infected with parasites will become thinner and may also suffer from digestive tract discomforts such as vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. , and some parasites may also cause fever, cough, itchy skin, and dull hair.

Types and symptoms of parasites infected by dogs

Ascaris worms are one of the most common parasites. Young pets and adult dogs are easily infected. Insect eggs are the main source of infection, and rats are also one of the sources of infection. Severe roundworm infection can cause the death of young pets due to malnutrition, so owners cannot take it lightly.

Hookworms - Hookworms can cause itchy dermatitis between the toes of puppies, which can lead to severe acute anemia.

Tapeworms: There are eight species of tapeworms that can parasitize cats and dogs, such as canine tapeworms and tapeworms (most common in cats). Infection with tapeworms can affect your pet's appetite. Sometimes constipation and diarrhea alternate with weight loss.

Felis Strongyloides - free-roaming cats are susceptible to infection, and symptoms after respiratory infection are more common.

Toxoplasma gondii - Pets infected with Toxoplasma gondii mainly present with fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc. For pregnant cat mothers and dog mothers, it may also lead to miscarriage.

Cryptosporidium - If your pet has diarrhea, enteritis, vomiting, or an inability to eat, you have to consider whether it is infected with Cryptosporidium.

How to prevent dogs from being infected with parasites

First of all, you should prevent your pet from eating raw meat, raw fish and drinking unclean water, and eliminate it promptly and completely and fleas in the surrounding environment. Secondly, as a cat or dog owner, you should prevent them from wandering outside, because wandering will greatly increase the possibility that your pet will ingest intermediate hosts such as insect eggs or mice.

What to do if your dog is infected with parasites

When owners find parasites in their pet’s feces or symptoms of parasite infection in their pets, do not panic. Send your pet’s feces to the hospital for testing. The doctor will prescribe corresponding medicine based on the parasites tested to help deworm the dog. During this period, owners should pay attention to cleaning up their pet's feces in a timely manner, and it is best to disinfect their pet's bedding and eating utensils.

Misunderstandings about deworming

Myth 1: Doctors decide on their own based on different parasites what kind of medicine to give to your pet for treatment, and the dosage and dosage of the medicine. The route and frequency of medication are different. If the owner takes the medicine easily by himself, it may affect the health of the pet in a mild case, or even endanger the life of the pet in a serious case. Therefore, it is recommended to useAlways consult a doctor before taking medicine.

Myth 2: No bugs were found in feces≠No need to deworm. Generally, insect eggs cannot be distinguished with the naked eye, let alone Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium that require a microscope to be seen. Therefore, preventive regular deworming should be promoted, that is, Owners should regularly take anthelmintics for their pet according to the doctor's prescription. The correct dosage cycle is shown in the table below:

Age Routine deworming cycle

0 - 6 months old, once a month

1 time per quarter for 6-24 months old

Over 24 months old, once every six months