Worms and Parasites: How to Keep Your Dog Free of Both

There are many different ways that dogs and puppies can get worms. Since most worms are species specific they will only be transferred from dogs to dogs, and cannot be passed to other pets or family members. Some parasites can be transferred between different species of animals and even humans, but these are very rare, especially if the pet owner routinely worms the dog to prevent any possible infections.

The biggest source of contamination or infection of worms or other parasites for dogs is other dogs. This can occur if your dog is playing with other dogs that have worms, sharing the same toys or eating from the same dish. Dogs can also get worms from eating or playing with fecal material from infected dogs. This is a very common source of infection especially if the dog is allowed to run outside the yard or plays in a puppy park or other area where there are many dogs.

There are four types of worms that can infect your dog or puppy. They are roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms and hookworms. Roundworms and tapeworms can often be seen in the fecal material or around the dog’s anus in the hair. Whipworms and hookworms are usually too small to be seen by the eye, but are evident to the veterinarian when a stool sample is examined. Tapeworms are rarely seen as entire worms but rather small segments of the worm may be noted. They are while in color and are somewhat flattened in shape and appearance. Roundworms are long, relatively slender and look more like very small earthworms. If they have been out of the dog’s body for even a short period of time they may have a yellow color rather than being white.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are problematic because they can affect a dog’s overall health and can be passed to various species, especially other dogs and cats. Fleas can pass on tapeworm eggs, so keeping your pet free from fleas is important. Often dogs that hunt rodents and small wild animals are at greatest risk for tapeworms. Tapeworms may be noted as dried up looking rice grains sticking to the fur around the dog’s anus. Tapeworms are difficult to treat and over the counter medications for worming will not kill the worms within the dog.

Whipworms and Hookworms

Of the two hookworms are by far the most serious and can lead to anemia and even death in dogs as these intestinal worms feed off the blood of the dog. Whipworms are not as serious but often cause lethargic behavior in dogs and are often a problem with dogs that are kenneled or boarded in facilities where there are many dogs in one area.

Roundworms

Many puppies are actually born with roundworm infestations. Since young puppies cannot be wormed until they reach a certain age it is very important to make sure that the mother has been kept worm free to avoid passing on the contamination to her puppies. Round worms eggs can be found in the milk of the mother dog if she is infected. This then passes the worm eggs on to the puppies. The worms live in the intestines of the puppies and constantly lay eggs, up to 200 per day. Some of the eggs are eliminated through the fecal material while still others are able to stay within the digestive tract. Once the eggs hatch they move through the body to the lungs where they irritate the tissue until the puppy or dog coughs. Once the dog coughs the larva are expelled from the lungs into the mouth, where they are swallowed and move down through the digestive tract. This cycle continues with the number of worms dramatically increasing. Severe infestations result in a pot bellied appearance, severe cough, and can eventually lead to death if the intestines become blocked with worms. A full-grown roundworm can reach up to five inches in length.

Routine worming at the vets is the best way to control worm problems in your dog. Over the counter worming products rarely work and may simply give the owner a false sense of security when it comes to the health of their pet.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/512/Kelly-Marshall

Kelly Marshall

Graduated from Ohio State University with a major in communications and a journalism minor. Held various office type jobs for a while before deciding to switch gears and follow my true passion, which is animals.

I've worked as a vet tech, assistant director of a shelter, and as a dog trainer. I still take a few private dog training clients, but my full time pursuit is writing. I've ghostwritten several books and reports, and I write dozens of articles per month for an online dog supply store called Oh My Dog Supplies. http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com.

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Dog Health: What Is Entropion?

Although entropion is a somewhat common condition in dogs, few canine owners know about it until their dog is diagnosed. It’s important to be aware of this condition to prevent possible damage to your dog’s eyes.

Entropion is a hereditary condition in which a dog’s eyelid is rolled inwards. This causes irritation to the eye, and over the time it can become so severe that it can cause permanent damage to the dog’s eye and vision. Entropion is painful for a dog, especially if the dog develops chronic conjunctivitis or lesions of the cornea.

Symptoms of entropion include excess discharge and tearing from the eye. Your dog will often be squinting due to irritation and sensitivity to light. The afflicted eye will often look red, and you may see white spots on the cornea. If you suspect your pet has entropion, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian right away to prevent severe complications. A vet will be able to properly diagnose this condition.

The only treatment for entropion is a surgery that tightens the eye lid to prevent it from folding inwards. Multiple surgeries may be required if your dog has developed entropion on more than one eyelid or if the condition is especially severe.

Since entropion is hereditary, there is no way to prevent it except to avoid breeding dogs that have this condition. Although entropion occurs in many breeds, it seems to be particularly severe in mastiffs and chows.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/324/Jason-Ladock

Jason Ladock

Dental Care for Dogs

Dental problems have a way of finding almost anyone - even dogs. Years ago, protecting their teeth from dental decay and keeping their teeth clean was a simple matter for dogs. Their diet included wild prey instead of canned food or flavored nuggets. Chewing on the hide of animals and gnawing on their bones cleaned the teeth of dogs so that very little food remained on their pearly whites.

Today, however, the responsibility for protecting the teeth and gums of dogs goes to their masters. Since plaque accumulates naturally on canine teeth, it is important to remove it on a regular basis. Allowing dental plaque to build up for weeks at a time allows it to harden to a substance referred to as tartar. Once this happens, the teeth become susceptible to dental decay, painful infections, and tooth abscesses.

Left untreated, minor dental problems can develop into major ones. In fact, untreated tooth decay can develop into painful infections that can travel from the gums to the dog’s vital organs. Once the infection reaches these organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys, or lungs, irreparable damage can be caused.

Several signs exist that indicate dental problems for your dog. These include bad breath, a decreased desire to chew dog treats, a hesitation to begin eating, or a decreased desire to eat anything at all. Additionally, a dog with dental problems might favor one side of the mouth while chewing or he might begin to eat only to stop in obvious discomfort.

Since bad breath is often caused by gingivitis or gum disease, taking action once you notice its presence can prevent more serious complications later on down the road. In most cases, prompt attention and treatment can save your dog the pain of dental complications.

Preventive measures can and should be taken to ensure your dog’s dental health. The initial steps involve the simple practice of purchasing dry dog food with tartar control properties. Even though this will help to reduce plaque build up and prevent periodontal disease in your dog, it will not eliminate it completely.

Additionally, it is important to feed your dog hard biscuits to help eliminate any plaque build up. Look for a brand of dog biscuits that advertise tartar control properties. The chewing that is required with dry dog food and hard dog biscuits helps to eliminate both plaque and tartar due to the more vigorous chewing they necessitate. Plus, a new entourage of dog bones has been produced to encourage good dental health for your dog.

A variety of dog bones are on the market that is also designed to help encourage dental health in your pet. One benefit of these newer styles of dog treats is the fact that many of them come with small raised bumps that are designed to remove plaque more readily. Additionally, these dog bones require vigorous chewing due to their hardness.

One of the most important things you can do to provide your dog with the best dental health possible is to brush his teeth for him. Most pet stores and veterinarian offices carry a line of dog toothbrushes that can be used on a weekly basis. If you aren’t comfortable using the ones that look just like the ones people use, you can purchase one that slips over your finger. Never use toothpaste meant for humans when you brush your dog’s teeth. A special formula is used for canine toothpaste and it should be the only type that you utilize.

If your dog does experience tooth decay and infection, take him to your veterinarian for professional dental hygiene care. Serious dental problems typically require anesthesia. If you have pet insurance on your dog, check into its coverage to see if it covers dental work.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/324/Jason-Ladock

Ouch! My Dog Is Burnt

Talk about a hot dog! Can your dog become sunburned if he spends too much time out in the sun? If you are thinking, "Hey, my dog has fur to protect him," you are not alone. Many people believe that the dog’s fur will protect him from the harmful rays of the sun. However, this is not true. A dog can become a victim to sunburn in the same way that humans do.

Too much time spent in the sun irritates the dog’s skin. The harsh rays can lead to dermatitis or sunburn, causing your dog to experience discomfort or even pain. You can easily recognize sunburn on your dog due to the increased redness of the skin. When the sunburn is extremely bad, your dog might experience some loss of fur as well. In fact, it is probably best to take your dog to the veterinarian for treatment when he has experienced severe sunburn.

In particular, certain areas of the dog’s skin are more sensitive. Therefore, they are also more likely to become sunburned. The bridge of the dog’s nose, the tips of his ears, his belly, and the inside of the leg area are all more sensitive since they receive the least amount of exposure to sunlight. Plus, although we have already stated that the dog’s fur will not entirely protect him, these areas have very little or no fur at all.

The best solution is to avoid allowing your dog to spend too much time out in the sunlight in the first place. Follow the same guidelines offered to prevent sunburn in people. Keep your pet indoors during the time that the sun’s rays are the harshest - between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M.

Realize that sunburn can exacerbate existing conditions that your dog might have including cancer, sin diseases, and skin ulcers. If you must have your dog exposed to sunlight, attempt to provide a shady location for him so that he can avoid the harshness of direct sunlight.

Sunlight is beneficial to your dog; so don’t avoid the sun completely. The sun promotes Vitamin D and that helps to balance your pet’s metabolism and level of calcium. Allow your dog a healthy dose of sunlight and no more in order to keep him happy and healthy.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/324/Jason-Ladock