Leesburg Veterinary Hospital, Ltd., INTESTINAL PARASITES

Intestinal parasites weaken your pet and lower their resistance to disease by robbing the animal of essential nutrients. Symptoms of intestinal parasites include change in appetite, nervousness, scooting, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, rough/dry haircoat, or generalized poor condition.

Intestinal parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans. These parasites are spread to humans through fecal-oral transmission or by ingesting infected soil. Children and immunosuppressed individuals are at increased risk of infection from migrating hookworm and roundworm larvae as well as tapeworms. Toxoplasma protozoan parasites can be a potential hazard to unborn children/pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals.

The possibility of human infection can be easily eliminated by preventative measures such as: routine fecal exams, treatment of affected pets, and adequate sanitation when dealing with animal feces.

Diagnosis is usually made from a fresh stool sample (passed less than 12 hours) or, in the case of tapeworms, seeing the segments in the stool. Parasites do not always shed their eggs into the feces and therefore several fecal exams may be needed before an accurate diagnosis is made. Outdoor cats should have fecal tests and prophylactic deworming 2-3 times per year. Dogs and indoor cats should have yearly fecal exams done and then be dewormed as necessary.

Most puppies and kittens are infected before birth or while nursing from their mothers. Adult dogs and cats can become infected by ingesting infected feces or soil (in the case of roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms) or by eating infected mice or fleas (in the case of tapeworms).

There are various deworming medications available to treat intestinal parasites. At this time, there is no one dewormer that can eliminate all species of parasites. Most puppies and kittens will need deworming starting at 6 weeks of age, or as early as 2-3 weeks of age if hookworms are suspected. Oftentimes, 3 or even 4 treatments may be necessary to eliminate the parasite. It is important to follow-up with recheck fecal exams to ensure that the parasite is gone.

The most important way to prevent intestinal parasites is good hygiene. Ideally, you should clean the litter box and pick up your dog's feces everyday. Always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling animal feces. You should always wear gloves when gardening and children should also wash their hands after playing outside.

In dogs, monthly heartworm preventatives offer deworming to help prevent the more common intestinal parasites. Flea and tick preventatives are also helpful in preventing tapeworm infestation from fleas.

Your pet's exam was on

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Roundworms are white, tubular worms that resemble angel-hair noodles. They live in the intestines and can cause serious illness in pets, especially young puppies and kittens. Clinical signs include loose stools, pot-bellied appearance, malnutrition, and/or unthrifty haircoat. Diagnosis is made through fecal exam or a description of the worm in the stool or vomit. Treatment is an oral medication given at 2-week intervals. Heartworm preventions can help prevent roundworm infestation. Rarely, children can be infected with roundworms after ingesting dirt contaminated with feces. When present in humans, roundworm larvae migrate to numerous organs including the liver, lungs, and also the ocular (eye) region causing blindness.

Hookworms are located in the intestines, very small, and seldom seen in feces. Adult larvae feed on blood, causing anemia, weakness, bloody or "tarry" stools, and overall poor condition. Severe cases may require hospitalization. Again, diagnosis is usually made with fecal exam and treatment includes deworming medicine given two weeks apart. Heartworm preventions can help prevent hookworm infestation. When present in humans, the larvae migrate to the skin, causing raised reddish papules on the skin.

Whipworms are thin, thread-like worms which live in the cecum and colon of dogs. They irritate the lining of the bowel causing abdominal discomfort, weight loss, intermittent diarrhea, and unthrifty appearance. Some dogs require hospitalization for treatment. Eggs from this parasite are passed intermittently and it may require multiple fecal exams to diagnose this disease. Treatment is an oral medication. Whipworm eggs live for a long time in the environment and are very difficult to eliminate from the soil. Therefore, it is extremely important to clean your yard frequently. Interceptor is the only heartworm prevention that can help prevent whipworm infestation. There is no human transmission of whipworms.

Tapeworms affect both cats and dogs and are composed of many body segments. Tapeworm segments are flat, ~ 1/4 inch long, and resemble rice. After a short time in the air, they dry up to resemble a small, yellow, flat seed. Infestation results from ingestion of an infected intermediate host (usually from fleas or rodents). Tapeworms commonly cause excessive appetite, loss of body condition, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea or constipation. Diagnosis is made by seeing the segments in an animal's feces or around their back end. It is rare to see tapeworm eggs on fecal exam. Treatment can either be offered orally or by injection. Tapeworm treatment will eliminate existing tapeworms but will not prevent future infection. The only prevention is strict flea control. There is no direct transmission of tapeworms from dogs and cats to humans. Humans can become infected by ingesting fleas, however, and develop larvae in the intestinal tract. In severe cases, these larvae can form a "cyst" of worms that can potentially rupture causing death.

Coccidia are microscopic protozoan parasites that are commonly found in young animals and debilitated adults. Transmission occurs by eating the infective stage of the parasite. Clinical signs include diarrhea, poor appetite, and weakness. Diagnosis is made by fecal exam and treatment protocols vary. Prevention mainly revolves around good hygiene. Human transmission is rare by can occur.

Giardia are single-celled parasites that can live in the intestines of dogs, cats, and humans. It is most commonly seen in dogs from kennel-type environments (i.e pet stores, shelters, dog pounds, etc.) or in animals that ingest infected river or pond water. Symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss, depression, and loss of appetite. Diagnosis is made from a very fresh fecal sample that must be collected at the clinic for optimal results. Many animals may have an active Giardia infection that is not detectable on fecal exam. Treatment often entails an oral medicine that is given at home. Prevention mainly involves good hygiene. There is a vaccine available but it is often not administered because of its lack of efficacy. Humans can become infected with Giardia and special care must be taken to wash hands and utensils.