This week (commencing March 24) is Tick Bite Prevention Week.
Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism, known as the host, and they depend on the host for survival.
Our furpanions are susceptible to various types of parasites, which can affect their health and well-being. These pesky parasites can be internal, like worms, or external, such as fleas and ticks.
Types of Parasites
Internal Parasites:
- Worms: There are different types of intestinal worms that can infect dogs, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and lungworms. These parasites can cause symptoms such as lethargy, cough, diarrhoea, weight loss, and a dull coat.
External Parasites:
- Fleas: Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of dogs. They can cause itching, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even transmit diseases.
- Ticks: Ticks attach to the dog's skin and feed on their blood. They can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Mites: Ear mites and demodex mites are common in dogs. Ear mites can cause ear irritation and infection.
- Lice: Canine lice are small insects that feed on the dog's blood and can cause itching, irritation, and hair loss.
As well as ensuring your pet is up to date with their vaccinations, there are other ways to protect your pet.
In this quick Q&A with Registered Veterinary Nurse Helen-Marie Pipe, we'll explore information to keep your pet safe from parasites and enjoy worry-free outdoor adventures.
Q. What are the most common parasites to look out for in pet parenting and pet care?
Fleas, Worms, Ticks, Mites and Lice. Fortunately, all these can be easily prevented and treated with veterinary approved anti-parasitics.
Q. What symptoms should pet parents look out for and what would your dog's faeces look like when they have internal parasites?
Look out for diarrhoea, bloating/pot belly, dull coat, lethargy, scooting, change in appetite, weight loss, vomiting, pale gums, worms and/or eggs in faeces, sometimes blood in faeces and a cough. It’s important to note that these aren’t all applicable at the same time, (sometimes not even noticed at all) in early infestation.
You should regularly check your furpanion's poop and its contents to ensure there are no signs of internal parasites.
Q. Why is it so important to poo pick?
It’s important to visually check the faecal score. Pet parents and carers should be checking their furpanions faecal health daily. Always look at the consistency, colour and contents of the faeces.
Keep your eye for the signs of whipworms (tiny thread like pieces with a wide end), roundworms (just like spaghetti and long), tapeworm eggs (grains of rice found in the faeces and/or around the anus).
You should always decontaminate the area after your dog goes to the toilet. This is because it can sometimes take weeks to years for worm eggs and larvae to perish if faeces are left on the ground. This is a potential health hazard for passing canine traffic, humans included. Hence why faeces should always be collected, sealed and placed in the bin.
Q.What percentage of dogs in the UK are infected with gastrointestinal parasites?
In 2023 The Veterinary Nurse magazine published a survey and overall it was 41%, almost half of our canine population.
Q. Who is most at risk from zoonosis in your family?
Zoonisis is any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans and can be passed via some parasites. The elderly, vulnerable and the young are most at risk.
Q. What symptoms do external parasites cause?
- Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and other serious illnesses.
- Fleas can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation and in severe cases; anaemia. They can also transmit tapeworm and several diseases.
- Mites can cause itching, skin irritation leading to infection and fur loss. They are so small that they often cannot be seen without a microscope, so you only see the symptoms.
Q. How do you treat or protect your house from parasites?
Even the cleanest and most well cared for homes can become infested. Vacuum regularly and thoroughly, especially where the pet sleeps or spends most of their time. Get into the cracks, soft furnishings, wash all bedding and clean up rubbish, food bowls and faeces.
Q. How do you protect our furpanions?
Check them from nose to tail especially if they have been outside. Groom them daily, observe their behaviour and discuss year round parasite prevention with your vet practice. Spray the house every six months with vet recommended products.