Common Parasites In Dogs
Common Parasites In Dogs
Common Parasites In Dogs
Preventing and treating parasites and diseases that afflict your dog is both compassionate and cost-effective. As with any treatment, only use pet-safe products, follow the label directions careful and consult your veterinarian before beginning any treatment program. Here are some of the most common one's that pet owner's need to be vigilant about.
FLEAS
Because fleas are constantly shedding their eggs on your dog, and in your house and yard, there's a continuous source of re-infestation. So if you don't treat both your pet and your environment, you may never get the fleas under control.
INSECT BITES AND REPELLENTS
If you think insect bites are causing your dog to itch, see your veterinarian before beginning any treatment.
The itching might be caused by an allergy. The most common allergy is flea allergy. Dogs may become allergic to the saliva of fleas. As a result, each flea bite causes intense itching, redness of the skin and small red bumps. Just a few bites on a highly allergic animal may cause a severe reaction. Plants, pollen and sometimes even food, along with insects, are among the allergens which may induce intense itching. Treatment depends upon your working with your veterinarian to identify and remove the allergen.
EAR MITES
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live on the surface of the skin lining in the ear canal. They pierce the skin surface to feed, causing inflammation and discomfort. If left untreated, bacterial infections and loss of hearing may result.
The warning signs for ear mites include:
Excessive and persistent scratching around the ears
Head shaking
Restless behavior
The ears are painful to the touch and the pet may cry out in pain
Brown material present in the ears
A foul-smelling odor
Dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear mite infections. Since air movement is restricted, promoting infection and bacterial growth.
If ear mites are present in a multiple-pet household, it is likely that if one animal is treated, the mites will move to another resident. The best preventive measure is to treat all residents for mites.
HEARTWORM PREVENTION
This mosquito-transmitted disease can be fatal to your dog. The better course is prevention. It takes powerful drugs and even hospitalization to cure a dog of these parasites, so you should do everything possible to prevent this disease.
Start with an annual test to see if your dog is already carrying these deadly worms. If the test is negative, your veterinarian will recommend a preventive heartworm
WHAT IS VON WILLEBRAND DISEASE?
German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Doberman Pinschers are all prone to an inherited type of hemophilia called Von Willebrand disease. Dogs with this bleeding disorder are missing a substance in their blood that promotes clotting, so they bleed excessively if they become injured or have surgery.
If your dog has never been hurt, you may not realize he has this condition. The day-to-day symptoms of Von Willebrand disease can be mild and include arthritis, bloody stool, and bloody gums. A blood test is the only way to diagnose the condition. If it's positive, the dog should not be bred. There is no cure for Von Willebrand disease, but blood transfusions or medication may help alleviate the symptoms.
WHAT IS MANGE?
You might call a scruffy dog in ill health an angy mutt, but mange is a particular skin condition. Caused by the infestation of parasitic mites, mange will cause hair loss and itchiness in your pet. One type of mange is called demodex. If demodex spreads over much of the dog's body, it can be very serious and could require long-term therapy.
The most common type of mange, however, is scabies, which is very infectious among dogs and can even be transmitted to humans. A dog with scabies is restless and will continually scratch, bite, and dig at infected areas. if you should notice these symptoms or small, red, infected areas, call your veterinarian. Mangy mutts need medication.
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