Dog Parasites - Internal and External Dog Parasites and How to Treat Them

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Family Pet Veterinary Center

How old does my dog need to be to start parasite prevention?

For most dogs, products are usually labeled for use at eight weeks of age and older. There are some exceptions, but in general, it's going to be eight weeks.

Ryan Southard, DVM
Family Pet Veterinary Center

What are intestinal parasites, and how do I get rid of them in my dog?

Intestinal parasites are most commonly seen as worms, such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Those are usually diagnosed through fecal examinations. Sometimes you will find them at home if the dogs pass them. Depending on which worms we're dealing with, there are certain medications to treat your dog.

What are external parasites, and what can I do to prevent them?

External parasites in dogs usually consist of ticks and fleas. Those are the most common, and we can also see certain types of mites and lice. The best ways to prevent those are with flea and tick preventatives, and there are multitudes of those. We currently carry the most effective class of preventatives, which are also effective for lice and mites. Most over-the-counter products will not prevent those, in addition to fleas and ticks.

How soon should I bring my dog in to the veterinarian if I suspect they may have parasites?

If you suspect your dog either has intestinal parasites or external parasites, it's best to always call us right away so we can examine your pet and figure out exactly what kind of parasites your dog has, so we can determine what the best treatment is going to be.

How will a veterinarian diagnose parasites in my dog?

It depends on the type of parasite. Intestinal parasites are usually determined through fecal examinations, and there are different types of those. As far as the external parasites go, those often require skin scrapings, or we sometimes do tape preparations where we can find those on skin samples. Either way, we'll have to do skin or fecal diagnostics.

Is ringworm considered a parasite?

Although the name implies there's a worm, ironically, there is no worm involved in ringworm. Ringworm is actually a fungus, and it is technically a parasite. It is contagious between animals, but it's also something people can get from their pets.

Why is early detection and diagnosis of parasites so important?

It's always important to determine if your pet has parasites as soon as possible. Most of these parasites can be transmitted to people, including intestinal parasites, in addition to the diseases those parasites can carry, which can also be transmitted to people.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (515) 224-9747, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/FamilyPetWest/, https://www.instagram.com/fampetvet/

Dog Parasites - FAQs

Ryan Southard, DVM
Family Pet Veterinary Center

What are the treatments for dog parasites?

Treatments for parasites depend on the actual type of parasites. It's most important that we identify those to know what we need to treat. Sometimes we use topical treatments, and other times oral treatments.

If one pet has parasites, do all pets in the home need to receive treatment?

This, again, depends on the type of parasite. Some are more contagious than others or transmittable to other pets in the household. Once we determine the type of parasite, we will make a recommendation at that point for treating just your dog or all the pets in the household.

Can I get parasites from my dog?

Parasites can be transmittable to people as well. Again, depending on the type of parasite, whether external or internal, we would have that discussion with you as far as if there are any concerns for that.

Is there prevention for dog parasites?

Yes. For external and internal parasites, there are preventatives that we can prescribe.

Are parasitic infections serious, or will they go away on their own?

Parasitic infections are usually not going to go away on their own. They do require treatment, which can be topical or oral.

Can I use natural or over-the-counter treatments for my dog?

I currently don't recommend any kind of over-the-counter or natural remedies for parasites. Most of those are not very effective and, in some cases, can be extremely toxic.

What can I do at home to treat or prevent parasite infestations?

The best thing you can do is to bring your dog in so we can examine it and then prescribe the appropriate types of preventatives. At home, though, ensure you're picking up your dog's fecal material frequently, so they're not potentially spreading things in their yard and reinfecting themselves. You should also limit their exposure to other pets that might be carrying parasites.