Why is my Pet at a Higher Risk if they have Fleas?

When animals have fleas, they can be accidentally ingested whilst grooming due to flea irritation. Flea larvae can feed on the eggs of the tapeworm dipylidium caninum found in the environment and develop within the abdomen of the flea. If an infected flea is ingested, the tapeworm also enters the dog or cat. The scolex of the tapeworm attaches to the intestinal mucosa of the host and grows into an adult tapeworm. Rarely this can also happen to humans, especially children, if fleas are ingested. This is why it is important to have both good flea and worm control.

Picture: Common types of worms found in cats and dogs

Intestinal Worms: The Facts

It is important to ensure that your pet is dewormed at regular intervals, a large worm burdens can accumulate quickly and can pose a serious health risk to your dog or cat. There are many types of worms that infect dogs and cats and some infections left untreated can even be fatal in young puppies.

Younger animals are more susceptible to worm burdens as their immune system is less developed, and in general, they are at higher exposure than adults. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have your adult dog or cat checked and treated regularly for intestinal parasites.

Some worms are easily identified in the stool or vomit without the use of specialized equipment though some need to be identified by the vet using a microscope in the laboratory. Bring in a fecal sample to your next visit to have it evaluated for parasites.

Signs of Worms

Some types of worms will not show any signs of infestation until in the later stages, such as in a pregnant female dog or times of environmental stress where roundworms activate multiply. These infections then can result in the infection of others around them and any puppies that nurse from their mothers.

Common signs of worms can include:

• Anemia (pale skin and gums)
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Pot-belly (mostly in pups)
• Bloody stool
• Diarrhea
• Dry/dull coat
• General poor appearance
• Weakness
• Tail skidding (dog rubs butt on the carpet)
• Visible signs of worms or worm segments in stool, vomit, or around the anus dried in the fur

Prevent Intestinal Worms

Again, the most important for treating intestinal worms is preventing it. You can take simple steps to preventing your puppy or dog from contracting an intestinal parasite.

• Stick to routine vaccinations, deworming, and vet exams at a vet hospital
• Keep any area where the puppy or dog will be kept clean, such as outdoor kennels and sleeping areas
• Use a flea and tick prevention
• Remove feces from your yard regularly
• Don’t feed raw meat or offal; base your dog’s staple diet on a high-quality dog food

Check out the variety of Pet Hospital Medical Care that we offer. Contact our Langley animal clinic to speak to the professional animal care staff about deworming.