External Parasites

External parasites are “bugs” (insects) that live on

the outside of a dog’s body. They include fleas

ticks, lice, flies, mosquitoes, mites, and others

They not only cause irritation, but also may transmit

diseashttps://www.facebook.com/Dogs-and-treat-diseases-420902661428959/es and cause disease in humans. Careful

skin examination by a veterinarian can detect these

.parasites

Fleas

are readily seen in a dog’s haircoat. They
are pencil-lead size, brown, compressed side to
side and seem to be in constant motion. They are
seen most easily at the base of the tail, between
the ears, or in the short hair on the abdomen. Even
if the flea is not visible, black specks of excrement may be seen. Many treatments are available;
however, the dog’s environment must be treated
just as vigorously, since the flea actually spends
more time off the dog than on. Flea control should

be implemented at the earliest sign of flea infes
tation because fleas multiply rapidly and a small
problem becomes a major one in just a few days.
While most dogs scratch with fleas, some dogs are
also allergic to flea saliva. For them, one flea bite
can set off an allergic reaction of severe skin inflam
mation. A flea-allergic dog will require medication
to relieve the skin inflammation in addition to flea
.control

Ticks

are most prevalent in early spring and are
most commonly found on outdoor dogs that get into
underbrush and wooded areas. Ticks can transmit
several https://www.facebook.com/Dogs-and-treat-diseases-420902661428959/

Internal Parasites

Tapeworms  
Tapeworms are long, segmented
worms. They are transmitted when a dog ingests
a larval stage of the worm found in a
flea or the raw meat of small mammals. A dog that hunts on its own
or has had fleas will likely develop
tapeworms. Individual tapeworm
segments are easily seen in freshly
passed feces or around the anus of
an infected dog. Special dewormers
are required for treatment.

Roundworms 
The roundworm
classifcation encompasses many
worm types, including ascarids,
hookworms, whipworms, and
heartworms. The intestinal worms
are transmitted by the ingestion of
feces or feces-contaminated soil
that contains worm eggs. The transmission of the
heartworm, however, requires an intermediate host
such as a mosquito for propagation. Your veterinarian will perform a specialized microscopic examination of feces (for intestinal worms) or blood (for
heartworms) to determine the presence of roundworms. Treatment or prevention with medication is
effective, but it should be repeated regularly and
monitored to determine if reinfection has occurred.
Deworm a dog with a veterinarian’s supervision.
The following describes in more detail the four
types of roundworms mentioned above .

Ascarids 
are long, thin spaghetti-like worms that inhabit the intestine. Some types of these worms can
be seen in an infected dog’s feces. These worms
commonly create a problem in pups, where they
cause stunted growth, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting,
and a pot-bellied appearance. In severe cases,
ascarids can cause seizures (convulsions)

Hookworms  
are tiny worms that attach themselves to the intestinal wall and suck blood from the
dog. They can be transmitted in utero and via the
mother’s milk to newborn pups. Consequently, pups
may have hookworms at a very early age. Signs of
infection include lethargy, stunted growth, anemia,
and dark, tarry feces. Hookworms are a life-threat
ening parasite at any age. Blood transfusions may
be necessary in advanced cases.  

Whipworms
are tiny worms that inhabit and develop in the lower bowel. They often cause chronic
watery diarrhea and weight loss. Their life cycle is
longer than most intestinal parasites, and proper
timing of repeated deworming is important for their control.  

Heartworms  
are devastating
internal parasites that live in a dog’s
heart and in the big vessels near
the heart, where they cause severe
damage to the circulatory system and
lungs. They are transmitted by the
bite of a mosquito that has bitten an
infected dog. Treatment is diffcult,
but preventive measures are available. Dogs should have a blood test
for heartworms in early spring before
mosquito season begins. If the test is
positive, treatment may be attempted. If the test is negative, preventive
medication can be given to your dog
daily or on a monthly basis throughout the mosquito
season. Consult with your veterinarian to determine
the best heartworm prevention plan for your dog.  

Many Diseases Can Be Prevented

Some of the most common and serious
dog diseases have been made less
common through vaccines; however,
these diseases continue to threaten a
dog that lacks proper immunization.
Puppies may be vaccinated as early
as 4-6 weeks, depending on each
situation and the veterinarian’s advice.
Through mother’s milk, puppies receive
disease-fghting antibodies, which last
6-16 weeks. Vaccinations then take
over. Yearly boosters should be given
throughout your dog’s life, including old
age when your dog may become more
susceptible to some diseases. The following
diseases can be prevented through vaccinations.

Distemper. Canine distemper is caused by a highly
contagious, airborne virus. It affects the dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Early
symptoms are those of a “cold” — runny eyes and
nose, fever, cough, and often diarrhea. Later in the
course of disease there may be nervous twitching,
paralysis, and seizures (convulsions). There is no
successful treatment.

(Hepatitis (Adenovirus

  Canine infectious hepatitis is a viral disease transmitted by urine, feces, or
saliva of infected animals. It affects the liver, kidney,
and blood vessels. The signs are fever, tissue
swelling, and hemorrhage. Treatment may require
blood transfusions and intensive care; often it is not
successful.

  

Leptospirosis  
 Canine leptospirosis is caused by
bacteria spread through contact with nasal secretions, urine, or saliva of infected animals. The
disease also can infect humans. Lepto infects the
kidneys and causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and
jaundice. Treatment requires antibiotics, intensive
care, and intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. Dogs that
recover may be left with permanent kidney damage. 

Kennel Cough  

Canine infectious tracheobronchitis
is caused by several viruses (including parainfluenza) and bacteria (including bordetella). This
highly contagious disease attacks the respiratory system, causing a chronic, dry, hacking cough. It is generally a mild infection,
but it may progress to severe pneumonia
in young pups or old dogs.
Treatment can be helpful.Parvo. Canine parvovirus
is a deadly contagious viral
disease that is spread by contact with infected fecal material.
The virus is diffcult to kill and is
easily spread. It attacks the gastrointestinal system, causing fever, lethargy, vomiting,
bloody diarrhea, and rapid dehydration. Treatment
requires intensive IV fluid and supportive therapy
and has a variable rate of success.  

Corona 

 Canine coronavirus is a highly contagious

viral infection attacking the gastrointestinal tract.
Signs are similar to parvovirus infection, except it is
generally milder and more effectively treated.

Rabies  

Rabies is a viral infection of all mammals,
including man. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. The virus infects the central nervous
system, causing a brain infection (encephalitis),
which is always fatal. There is no treatment for dog
or man after symptoms appear. However, a vaccine.