Parasite peak season
Spring is a peak season for parasites, so pet owners should pay close attention to changes in their pets' behavior during routine care. Frequent rubbing of the rear end, soft stools, and vomiting are signs of parasite infection, and deworming should be administered promptly.
Why do dogs and cats need deworming?
Once cats and dogs are infected with parasites, it has a significant impact on their health, and in severe cases, it can lead to death. The main dangers are as follows:
1. Thin body, weak immune system
Once parasites inhabit a pet's body, they live and reproduce by sucking nutrients from the body, leading to malnutrition, anemia, and emaciation.
If parasites attach themselves to a pet's intestines or even migrate within its body, they can easily cause problems such as intestinal perforation and bile duct blockage. In addition, parasites can trigger secondary bacterial infections, leading to vomiting, bloody stools, poisoning, and allergic reactions.
2. Itching, hair removal, and skin problems.
Some external parasites can cause skin problems in pets, such as itchy skin and hair loss. In severe cases, these problems can spread throughout the body. The development of skin diseases can be accelerated if the environment is humid or if the pet comes into contact with irritants.
3. Anemia and red urine indicate damage to red blood cells.
Ticks are stubborn parasites that can cause Babesia infection after being bitten. This disease damages a dog's red blood cells, causing its urine to turn red or soy sauce-colored. Other symptoms include high fever, anemia, and rapid weight loss. If left untreated, it can eventually lead to death.
Once infected, it is difficult to cure completely and may require lifelong blood transfusions. Dogs and cats that frequently go outdoors are more likely to contract ticks.
II. What are some common parasites?
Parasites are divided into external parasites and internal parasites. Both types can harm the health of cats and dogs and cause the spread of diseases. However, some diseases are zoonotic, so extra care must be taken.
internal parasites
Ascaris, hookworm, whipworm, heartworm, lungworm, canine lung fluke, tapeworm, canine trichinella, liver fluke, toxoplasmosis, canine leishmaniasis, canine eyeworm, canine babesiosis, esophageal nematode, canine tongue worm, amoeba, trypanosoma eiri, coccidia, etc.
Nematodes and tapeworms are relatively common; they feed on the intestines, causing weight loss. Coccidia and trichomonas can cause bloody or pasty stools, while heartworms can cause respiratory diseases.
symptom:
In the early stages of infection, symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, and fatigue. A veterinary visit is necessary to have your pet's feces tested for a definitive diagnosis.
Ectoplasm
Scabies mites, Demodex mites, ear mites, fleas, hard ticks, lung lice, lice, soft ticks, etc.
symptom:
Itching and hair loss. Dogs and cats will generally bite their tails, bodies, and scratch their ears more frequently than usual; they are also more prone to irritability, and may suddenly lie down and lick their bodies while sleeping or playing.
Fleas are visible; their droppings are reddish-brown and can be seen on the skin.
Zoonotic parasitic diseases
Zoonotic parasitic diseases are mainly transmitted to humans through the ingestion of parasite eggs or through the penetration of skin by larvae. The corresponding clinical symptoms in humans are as follows:
Cryptosporidiosis: Watery diarrhea
Giardiasis: Diarrhea
Toxocariasis: Visceral, fundus, and nerve larval migration.
Hookworm disease: itching, skin larvae migration
Strongyloidiasis: abdominal pain, urticaria, and other skin conditions.
Echinococcosis: Liver involvement, accompanied by nonspecific clinical symptoms (upper abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, jaundice).
Toxoplasmosis: fever, pneumonia, myocarditis, and meningitis; miscarriage in pregnant women, neonatal death, malformations, and neurological sequelae.
III. Routes of Parasitic Infection
1. The owner took it with him when he went out.
When the owner goes out, their shoes and socks may carry parasites or parasite eggs.
2. Environmental infection
Outdoor grassy areas, bushes, and forests are all breeding grounds for parasites, and cats and dogs that frequently go outside are more likely to become infected with parasites.
3. Raw food infection
If cats and dogs frequently eat raw food, the raw food is very likely to contain a large number of bacteria and insects. Alternatively, they may come into contact with infectious worm eggs or larvae while licking or drinking the food, which can easily lead to parasitic infections.
4. Maternal infection
Parasitic larvae, such as roundworms and hookworms, can infect the fetus through the placenta. Some, like Toxoplasma gondii, can also be transmitted to nursing pets through breast milk.
5. Skin infection
Infectious larvae can penetrate the skin directly, burrow into the body, and migrate to the parasitic site, such as hookworm larvae.
6. Contact infection
Direct contact with sick animals can transmit parasites to healthy cats and dogs. Heartworm larvae can also be transmitted through intermediate hosts such as mosquitoes.
7. Indirect contact infection
Parasites can live in the external environment for a period of time, and healthy cats and dogs may become infected if they come into contact with household items containing parasites.
If pet owners touch a healthy pet without washing their hands after touching a sick pet, they may spread parasites!
IV. How to deworm cats and dogs
Cat deworming time
Kittens can be dewormed when they are one month old. To be on the safe side, they can be dewormed for roundworms first, and then for tapeworms two months later. From 3 to 6 months, they can be dewormed monthly, and thereafter every three months.
Dog deworming time
Dogs can be dewormed starting from the fourth week of life, with internal deworming once each at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks. After that, they should be dewormed monthly from 3 to 6 months, and then every three months thereafter.
Internal deworming time
The best time to administer the deworming medication is 3-4 hours after the pet has eaten. After administering the medication, the pet should not eat for 5-6 hours to ensure that the medication can be fully effective.
External parasite treatment time
External parasite medications typically provide protection for pets for up to a month.
Before treating external parasites, it's not always necessary to bathe the pet. However, if you do bathe the pet, it's best to wait a day until the fur is completely dry before applying the parasite medication to the back of the pet's neck where it can't lick itself. Do not bathe the pet immediately after treating external parasites.
When using deworming medication, carefully read the instructions, which include information on the types and frequency of deworming, side effects, and precautions for using specific deworming medications.
Common Misconceptions about Deworming
Do I not need to deworm if I stay indoors?
Parasites don't only exist outdoors. Dogs love to explore the world with their mouths and noses, so parasites can be found in corners of the house, carpets, under the bed, and when their owners take them out.
Is one-time deworming effective for life?
Deworming medication typically provides protection for pets for about a month. Some medications can provide protection for up to three months. The specific frequency of deworming depends on the type of medication used.
If you can't see the worms, do you not need to treat them?
Parasites are divided into internal and external parasites. Fleas that we can see with the naked eye account for only 5% of parasites. The rest of the fleas, eggs, and larvae may be hidden in the environment or inside the body.
Should I see worms expelled after taking the medication?
Seeing worms in your stool doesn't mean they're not there. They could be larvae that are difficult to see with the naked eye, such as trichomoniasis and coccidia. If you pass adult worms, it means you haven't dewormed them in a long time!
Do I need to deworm if I've been vaccinated?
Vaccines do not prevent parasites, nor do they deworm, but regular vaccinations and deworming are necessary.
Can taking a bath get rid of parasites?
Bathing is for cleaning the skin, but it cannot kill fleas and other parasites, so it cannot meet the normal needs for pest control. Moreover, fleas can survive in water, and frequent bathing can disrupt the skin's healthy pH balance.
Can cats use deworming medication intended for dogs or humans?
Different pet deworming medications have different usage methods, so it is recommended to consult a veterinarian or follow the instructions for use.
Some deworming medications for dogs containing permethrin are strictly prohibited for cats, so it is best to use deworming medications for cats and dogs separately.
Parasites are generally difficult to detect in the body. If you have already noticed a parasitic infection, it means the problem is already serious and you should treat the parasites promptly.
Pet owners are advised to develop the habit of regular deworming to protect the health of their furry friends and family.
