Sometimes what you can’t see can be worse than what you do see. If you’re living in close quarters with your dog, chances are that you’d like to keep canine cooties to a minimum. Studies have shown that internal parasites are present in a majority of dogs, even in the best cared-for pedigree varieties. In fact, the problem is so prevalent – literally trillions of roundworm eggs alone are discharged into parks and yards daily – that routine parasite control should be considered mandatory.
(Check out Hundido’s 2013 Recap: Flea, Tick and Lice)
Protocols vary, but medications are generally given to pups starting at two to three weeks of age, even before parasites are discharged in feces. You might think that two to three weeks of age is pretty young to start getting medicine, but keep in mind that the treatment is for your safety, not that of your pup. The goal is to halt the spread of these internal parasites before they get discharged into the feces and become infective.
Each year, some unlucky folks, usually children, end up in the hospital with parasites in their eyes, in their livers, or crawling under their skin. It’s not only disgusting but also entirely preventable.
Dogs also get roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, but not pinworms. If you see something that looks like little grains of rice around your dog’s anus, they’re not pinworms – they are likely to be tapeworms. If you find tapeworms, your dog probably also has a problem with fleas, since that is how most species of tapeworm are transmitted.
Worms aren’t the only parasites that can cause problems, and under certain circumstances, owners can play pass-the-parasite with their pets. Entamoeba can be passed around to family members, too. The most likely scenario is not very appealing, but if you are aware of how these organisms are transmitted, you can do a lot to nip the transmission in the bud.
One quick solution is to keep your toilet lid down when you’re not using it. Don’t let your dog drink out of your toilet bowl. If you have a dog determined to nose open the lid for a cool drink, considering installing a toilet latch. You’ll be taking a big step in preventing the perpetuation of parasites in your household, and you’ll be much more receptive the next time your dog offers you a soft, wet kiss.
