Parasite prevention: making sure your dog is fully covered

Examples of preventable internal parasites include:

• Roundworms: Roundworms steal your young dog’s nutrients from ingested food, stunting growth. They can also cause gastrointestinal upset, contributing to vomiting, diarrhea and excessive gas. These worms are transmitted through ingestion of eggs shed in the feces of other dogs. 
• Hookworms: These parasitic worms attach to the lining of your dog’s small intestine and feed on blood. High numbers of hookworms feeding on blood can result in anemia. Your dog can contract hookworms by eating or licking objects contaminated with dog feces, or by walking through contaminated areas. The infective larvae can enter through the skin of the paws.  
• Whipworms: Whipworms cause irritation and inflammation of the large intestine. They can cause watery diarrhea which sometimes contains blood and/or mucus, and weight loss.
• Tapeworms: The most common type of tapeworm, called Dipylidium caninum, infects dogs when they ingest an infected flea, usually while grooming. They can also get tapeworms from eating rodents. Echinococcus is another type of tapeworm which can be passed to people. Though tapeworms are unlikely to cause serious issues in a dog who is 1 year old, they can contribute to gastrointestinal upset. Tapeworm segments are also shed into a dog’s environment, which is a sanitary issue for the human family members. 
• Heartworms: Heartworm larvae are spread to dogs by mosquitoes. The larvae mature into adult heartworms that infest the dog’s heart and pulmonary artery (large vessel from heart to lungs). Heartworm disease causes coughing, poor physical condition and fatigue. Severe or end-stage infestations can result in heart failure and death.

The two main external parasites we consider in preventives are:

• Ticks: Ticks hide in tall grasses and other foliage, waiting until your pet walks by to latch on. While dogs who go outside are at a higher risk of tick infestation, it’s possible for ticks to hitchhike into the home on people or other pets. Ticks not only cause skin irritation, but they can carry diseases like ehrlichiosis or Lyme disease that could make your pet very ill. 
  
• Fleas: Fleas can be transmitted to your dog by other pets and wild animals. These parasites can cause severe itchiness and allergic reactions. High amounts of fleas can ingest enough blood to make your pet anemic. Fleas also carry diseases such as tapeworm or typhus, which can affect your dog. 

To protect your puppy from parasites, choose parasite preventives that protect them from both internal and external parasites. Year-round prevention is recommended, especially as the ranges and active seasons of parasites continue to expand. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best product (or combination of products) for your pet based on your pet’s lifestyle and risks in your area. Keep up on fecal testing and heartworm testing to ensure your preventives remain effective.

Once you know your pet is well protected from parasites, you’ll be able to enjoy your adventures free of stress!