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95% of kittens and puppies are born with intestinal worms! These parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, stunted growth and even death. Some species of parasites, especially roundworms and hookworms, are also transmissible to humans. There are 10,000 cases of animal parasites causing disease in children every year in the United States. Internal parasites are diagnosed by having a fresh stool sample under a microscope by staff at the veterinary hospital. This should be done as part of a health exam when you obtain a new kitten or cat, and on a yearly basis as part of your cat’s and dog’s annual health examination and vaccinations. Try to collect the freshest sample. You can keep it refrigerated until you can bring it in to the veterinary hospital. Stool samples will keep up to 24 hours if kept cool. If you did not bring a stool sample, we will try to obtain one from your pet using a fecal loop.So that you may better understand the problems internal parasites can cause and what signs to look for, we have included a short description of the five most common types of internal parasites. ROUNDWORMS…
These are the most common species of worm present in puppies and kittens. They are 2-3 inches long and resemble strands of spaghetti. They live in the small intestine, and may cause vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. This parasite is most commonly transmitted via the stools of other cats, dogs, or wild animals from eating mice or other rodents, which may harbor infective parasite larvae. Bitches and queens may pass these parasites to their offspring in milk. HOOKWORMS…
Hookworms are small, fine worms which attach to the walls of the small intestine and live by sucking blood from the host. They cause severe diarrhea, which may be bloody, and anemia, especially in kittens and young cats. Infestation can occur by ingestion of contaminated stools of other cats or dogs, or via the uterus or mother’s milk. TAPEWORMS…
Tapeworms live in the small intestine, where the head attaches to the intestinal wall and produces a chain of segments, each segment containing 400,000 eggs. Mature segments containing eggs are passed with the stool, or may be seen around the rectum. They resemble small grains of rice. They may be acquired through the ingestion of rodents or birds or, more commonly, through the ingestion of fleas. Flea control is essential to control tapeworm infestation. COCCIDIA…
Coccidia are protozoa, one celled parasites, more like bacteria rather than "worms." Pets usually pick these up from a contaminated environment. Adult animals are usually not affected by these parasites unless their immune system is compromised. They are treated with antibiotics. GIARDIA…
Giardia are also protozoans. They are very difficult to pick up on a regular stool check. Antibiotics or special wormers kill them but they are difficult to eradicate completely and often flare up with stress or other intestinal problems. They are infectious to humans and cause vomiting and diarrhea in both people and pets. If a stool sample is positive for parasites, the veterinarian will prescribe an effective dewormer. We usually recommend deworming twice, two weeks apart, starting at 2 weeks of age. Please weigh your animal before picking up any dewormer, to ensure that the proper dose is given. A stool sample should be checked again 4 to 8 weeks later, to ensure that his or her environment is not reinfesting your pet. Clean the litter box daily as well. Any pregnant animals should be dewormed prior to birthing.
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