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704 results for “Internal parasites”
Why does my dog vomit yellow, sticky fluid?
Yellow sticky vomit is often from long hunger, parasites or infectious disease. First, an empty stomach makes excess acid, causing yellow foam — feed on a fixed schedule. Second, roundworms, threadworms, toxoplasma and other internal parasites can cause it — deworm promptly. Also, parvo or distemper can cause it; if the cause is unclear, see a vet.
What causes a puppy to poop blood?
Blood in stool can come from internal parasites, swallowed foreign objects, or parvo/coronavirus. Bones or hard objects can scratch the gut and bloody the stool. Parasites like trichomonas and coccidia damage the gut lining and cause diarrhea with blood. Unvaccinated puppies have a higher chance of parvo/corona; with fever, lethargy and appetite loss, see a vet.
What should I do if my male cat keeps getting thinner?
A male cat that keeps losing weight may be in prolonged heat or infected with internal parasites. Heat raises metabolism via hormones, so he won't gain; if you won't breed him, neuter him. Internal parasites steal nutrients and can cause vomiting and diarrhea, so deworm (every 2-3 months internally, monthly externally) if it's been a while. Thyroid disease or chronic gastroenteritis also cause weight loss - see a vet.
Why is my dog retching or gagging?
Common causes of vomiting include overeating, physiological vomiting, eating the wrong thing, internal parasites, and gut problems. Eating too much burdens the gut and triggers vomiting; some dogs throw up and re-eat food, which is normal. Dirty or spoiled food also causes vomiting, and if diarrhea or lethargy appears, see a vet.
Why do dogs get canine parvovirus?
Dogs catch parvovirus through poor diet, chilling, dirty living conditions, internal parasites, or contact with the virus. Signs include lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stool; untreated cases dehydrate and can die. Vaccination prevents it, so see a vet promptly if infection is suspected.
What medicine should I give a cat that is vomiting?
Cat vomiting can be caused by hairballs, internal parasites, gastroenteritis, pancreatitis or feline distemper, so do not give medicine at random before the cause is known. If the cat is otherwise normal and the vomit contains hair or threads, try hairball paste and observe. If there is no improvement, withhold food and water for half a day, then give pet anti-inflammatory and anti-vomiting medication.
Does Bathing a Cat Replace Deworming?
A clean cat is not a parasite-free cat. Bathing only rinses away a few adult fleas or lice—their claws grip the hair root, so most adults stay put, and eggs and larvae are far too small to wash out. Ticks are worse: their mouthparts bury deep in the skin and need a tool to remove, not a rinse. Mites living under the skin or in the ear canal also survive a bath. And internal parasites—roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, heartworm—live in the gut, blood, and heart, unrelated to how the coat looks. On top of that, cats should not be bathed often; frequent washing disrupts skin oils, dries the coat, and invites bacterial or fungal infection if not dried. This article explains why deworming is still essential, even for indoor cats, and a sensible schedule.
Health Checks to Do After Rescuing a Stray Cat
Before a stray cat joins your home, a veterinary check-up protects the cat, any resident pets, and your family. Strays can carry parasites, skin disease, or hidden infections, so a targeted exam is worth the cost. Core tests include a physical exam, infectious-disease screening (panleukopenia, coronavirus, calicivirus, herpesvirus; add FIV and FeLV if you have other cats), a fecal exam for internal parasites, and a blood count to flag anemia, inflammation, or dehydration. Imaging or a Toxoplasma test may be added for specific risks. To keep costs down, ask clinics about rescue discounts, look for packaged wellness plans, and have the vet handle basic grooming during the visit. Always isolate the new cat for 7–14 days, deflea and deworm, then start vaccines once it has settled in.
Why Your Dog Sheds and Stays Thin
Shedding plus failure to gain weight often points to parasites. Black specks in the coat mean fleas and call for external deworming; eating well but staying thin suggests internal parasites; scratching, scooting, mite-related patchy loss, or worms in stool all signal infestation. Puppies need deworming from 40 days, adults every three months, and more often if exposed.
Why Is My Dog’s Stool Soft or Unformed, and What Helps?
Soft, unformed stool in dogs has several causes, from a simple upset after the wrong food to gastroenteritis, parasites, or even a viral infection. The right response depends entirely on the cause, so guessing at medicine can waste time. This guide walks through the four common reasons—indigestion, gut inflammation, internal parasites, and viruses—and the matching treatment, from probiotics to a timely trip to the clinic.