Horrors of Heartworm and other Pet Parasites
| Warning: the following content is not for the faint of heart. Worms – if you don’t know about the dangers of these parasites, you’re about to embark on an informational and semi-creepy adventure. As if fleas and ticks weren’t enough to worry about in owning a pet, worms can pose as equally troubling health problems. Take a few minutes to learn about just how important it is to keep the worms out of your pet – for good! | |
| Heartworm infection primarily affects canines but felines are still affected. Heartworm infections can significantly damage the heart, lungs, and other organs if left untreated. Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites; a mosquito bites an infected dog and ingests heartworm larvae, passing onto the next dog it bites. The larvae penetrates the dog’s skin and travels through the body to the heart. It typically takes a few months for the infection to reach the heart. Upon arrival, worms can grow to 14 inches. | |
Common heartworm symptoms include:
Severe infections can result in sudden death with the following conditions:
Heartworm disease is diagnosed by testing a small blood sample for the presence of heartworm larvae or heartworm antibodies. Depending on the severity, monthly preventatives are available. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate choices. |
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| Heartgard Plus Chewables | Revolution |
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| These worms are transmitted through the ingestion of eggs in infected rodents, soil or milk from an infected mother. The eggs hatch into larvae in the stomach and the larvae travel to the small intestine, maturing into adult roundworms. The adults lay eggs, passing out of the pet in feces. Roundworms can be transmitted from mother to puppy in the utero. | |
Roundworms can cause the following symptoms:
In severe cases, roundworms can cause intestinal obstruction and become fatal in puppies and kittens. Roundworms are diagnosed by examining the feces for the presence of eggs. Oral medications are available for treating roundworms; consult your veterinarian for the safest necessary option. |
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| Interceptor | Tri-Heart Plus |
| Hookworms are the most common canine intestinal parasite in the U.S., responsible for approximately 20% of all dogs. These worms attach to a dog’s intestinal lining with hook-like teeth. Hookworm infections are transmitted by ingesting infective larvae from soil or by the larvae attaching and burrowing through the dog’s skin. Once inside the dog’s body, the larvae travels to the small intestine, matures, mates and lays eggs. The eggs pass into the soil through the dog’s feces. Hookworms can also be transmitted through a nursing mother’s milk. | |
Hookworm symptoms can include:
Hookworms are diagnosed by examining the feces for eggs. Oral medications are available for treatment; consult your veterinarian for the best option. |
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| Iverhart Max | Advantage Multi |
| Tapeworms are long, segmented worms that can live in a pet’s small intestine. Several species of tapeworms can infect pets. Dipylidium caninum develop as larvae in fleas, transmitted when the pet ingests fleas while grooming. Taenia forms are transmitted when a pet eats infective eggs that live in the soil or larvae from small rodents. Taenia infections are common among hunting pets. Tapeworms cause relatively little harm to host animals. | |
Tapeworms can cause the following symptoms in severe cases:
Tapeworms are diagnosed by observing tapeworm segments that look like rice in the stool, near the anus, or on the pet’s fur. Treatments typically involve a single dose of praziquantel; consult your veterinarian if unsure of dosage amount. |
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| Tapeworm Tabs | Virbantel |
| Whipworms are intestinal parasites/worms that live in the large intestine of dogs. While common in dogs, cats rarely carry them. Whipworms infect dogs through contaminated soil when grooming themselves and ingesting dirt from their feet or hair coat. Whipworms are very hardy and can be nearly impossible to kill in the soil. | |
The following symptoms can derive from whipworms:
Whipworms are diagnosed by inspecting the dog’s feces. Microscopic analysis is required to diagnose whipworms; consulting your veterinarian is advised. Treatment options are available through over the counter worm medications. |
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| We offer a variety of monthly heartworm preventatives that are available here . For our full selection of deworming products, visit our section on Dewormers. Check out our Heartworm Guide for an in-depth analysis of what kinds of problems dogs and cats can face. | |