Intestinal parasites
There are six parasites which are commonly found in the intestines of cats and dogs. All of the below can infect people. Children are especially at risk of becoming infected with intestinal parasites, because they typically play in sandboxes, dirt, and grass – places where pets can deposit parasite eggs via their feces.
- Hookworm – found in the small intestine, where they attach to the intestine wall using sharp teeth, and suck on the host’s blood. Hookworms are though to infect more than 600 million people worldwide.
- Roundworm – also found in the small intestine. Adult roundworms look like spaghetti. Much larger than hookworms.
- Tapeworm – also found in the small intestine. Adult tapeworms are 6-12 inches long. Tapeworms can also be spread by mosquitoes.
- Whipworm – infects the human large intestine.
- Coccidia – single-celled organisms that reproduce in intestinal cells, ultimately killing that cell. The human disease toxoplasmosis is caused by coccidia.
- Giardia – found in the small intestine. In the US, Giardia infects over 2.5 million people annually.
How to protect yourself, your family, and your pet
The best way is to bring us a fresh sample of your pet’s poop at LEAST every 12 months, and preferably every six. We can have it screened for all of the above parasites. Don’t wait for your pet to get sick – often, there are no symptoms associated with parasite infection, especially in the early stages.
Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes
Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes all thrive in south California, and it’s important your pets are protected against these vectors and the diseases they carry.
We carry the Bayer products Advantage, Advantage Multi, and Advantix to control these parasites. A recent (August 2009) price survey showed our prices to be less than PetMeds!
- Fleas are wingless insects that feed on blood. Flea bites itch, and some pets experience allergic reactions to flea saliva. Additionally, fleas can spread tapeworms, parasitic flatworms that live in the digestive tract of pets and people (see above).
- Ticks are blood-feeding parasites often found in tall grass and shrubs. They can spread Lyme disease, which if untreated can be fatal.
- Mosquitoes can spread heartworm, a parasitic roundworm which lives primarily in the heart of the host. Mosquito bites themselves irritate the skin.
Heartworm
Heartworm prevention tips
- Help reduce mosquito breeding by draining any standing water on your property every 48 hours.
- Keep your dog indoors at night mosquitoes feed the most from dusk until dawn.
- Treat your dog with products like Advantage Multi (which prevents heartworm) or Advantix (which repels and kills mosquitoes).
Heartworm larvae are spread by mosquitoes, which are themselves infected with immature heartworm by biting an infected animal. The larvae will enter your pets bloodstream, migrate to its heart and lungs, and become sexually mature in 6-7 months.
Heartworms slowly damage the pulmonary arteries, eventually causing heart failure. Sometimes, a large number of heartworms can lead to a sudden obstruction of blood flow through the heart and lungs, which is usually fatal without prompt surgical intervention.
