How to Prevent Parasites in Dogs

1 Preventing Parasites in Dogs

There are many types of parasites that can affect dogs, including bugs that live on the skin, in the gastrointestinal tract, or in the blood.

Common canine parasites include:

1. Intestinal parasites

Many species of intestinal parasites can infect dogs, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia. Symptoms of infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. The most common intestinal parasite in dogs is the roundworm; almost every puppy is born with roundworms because they are passed from the mother to the puppy. Worms are common in flea infestations and whipworm infections and cause serious problems. Some worms can be seen in the feces, such as tapeworms and roundworms, while others require microscopic fecal examination to be observed. Annual fecal testing for dogs is recommended.

2. Fleas

A flea is a parasite that lives on the skin and obtains blood by biting the dog. Dogs with fleas constantly scratch their skin, and dogs allergic to fleas develop hair loss and skin infections. Fleas can also spread disease.

3. Ticks

Ticks can attach to dogs, inserting their mouthparts into the dog’s skin to obtain blood. Ticks can remain attached for several days, and as they take in blood they can transmit fatal infections such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.

4. Heartworms

Heartworms are very likely to cause serious disease in dogs, including heart failure. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae. Symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs include lethargy, anorexia or decreased appetite, exercise intolerance, and coughing or difficulty breathing.

Preventing parasite infection in dogs

Although parasite infections can be treated, prevention is what we should do more. Preventing parasites is important for your dog’s health, happiness, and comfort.

The following are tips for preventing parasites:

1. You need to perform routine deworming on puppies, conduct annual fecal examinations, and treat based on the results, which can largely prevent intestinal parasites. In addition, many types of heartworm preventives can simultaneously treat intestinal parasites and prevent flea infestations. Another method of controlling parasite infection is to keep your yard and dog house clean and promptly remove feces piles.

2. Fleas and ticks can be prevented with certain medications and collars. Flea products include Program (lufenuron), Sentinel, Capstar (nitenpyram), Frontline, Advantage, Revolution, and Prevall (all U.S. brands). Tick prevention medications include the Seresto collar and Bravecto.

3. Preventing heartworm disease is easier than treating life-threatening heartworm infection.

4. Not all parasitic diseases are preventable, but most are treatable.

Recommended frequency of parasite prevention

Depending on your region, year-round monthly parasite prevention recommendations vary. This depends on the weather and climate of your area.

Over the past decade, the science of parasite prevention has changed a great deal. A few years ago, in the U.S. Midwest, the recommendation was to give your dog preventive medication from March to December, with no medication in winter. Based on the fact that dogs are both indoors and outdoors, fleas essentially do not die in the house in winter, but ticks can survive the winter. The current recommendation is year-round parasite control. If you have questions about the recommendations for your area, discuss them with your veterinarian.

How to keep your dog from getting parasites: there are things you can do to prevent parasite infection in your dog. The main method of prevention is to provide your dog with monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventives. If you live in a high-risk area, the Lyme disease vaccine can also help. Monitor carefully for the presence of fleas and ticks during your daily interactions with your pet.