Parasites
Parasites are “freeloaders” that live in or on another creature. Fleas are the most common external parasite found on dogs and cats. Although fleas are more likely to be a problem during warm-weather months, they can also cause problems during cooler seasons due to their ability to continue their life cycle indoors. Internal parasites like hookworms and roundworms, and external parasites like fleas and ticks are common in dogs and cats. Even ones that live exclusively indoors.
- Fleas are tiny, wingless, blood-feeding insects. They thrive in warm, humid environments, jumping up to a foot high and causing intense itching, skin irritation, and transmitting diseases like tapeworms. A single flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs in its lifetime. Eggs fall off the host into carpets, bedding, and crevices, making them hard to eliminate. A flea infestation is often mostly hidden; only about 5% of the population consists of visible adults, while the remaining 95% exists as eggs, larvae, or pupae in the environment.
- Ticks are small, blood-feeding arachnids (relatives of spiders and mites) that live in grassy or wooded areas and attach to animals or humans to feed. They are vectors for diseases, including Lyme disease, transmitting pathogens during their hours-long feeding process.
- Ear Mites are tiny mites, that live on the surface of ear canal skin in cats and dogs. An infestation produces brownish ear wax, similar in appearance to coffee grounds.
- Heartworm disease is a serious disease spread through mosquito bites that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets. LEARN MORE
- Round Worms Roundworms are the most common internal parasite found in cats and dogs. Many pets do not show signs of infection; pets with major roundworm infections may show diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance. Adult roundworms may be noticed (spaghetti-like strands) in your pet’s feces or vomit.
- Hookworms are small thin worms that reside in the small intestine and feed off of your pet’s blood. Bloody diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, vomiting and progressive weakness can be seen with this parasite. If left untreated this parasite can cause death.
- Whipworms are small thin worms that reside in the large intestine. This parasite can cause weight loss and mucous in stool.
- Tapeworms are one of the most common parasites, transmitted by ingesting fleas or wild animals. Small rice-like pieces around your pet’s anus or feces may be indicative of an infestation.
- Coccidia – a very contagious parasite that can cause diarrhea, dehydration and other problems which can lead to death.
- Giardia is a very contagious parasite that can cause diarrhea, dehydration and other problems which can lead to death.