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Bugs and worms and protozoa--OH MY!!!
And they are everywhere.
All dogs have parasites all the time. It's a fact of life--especially
canine life. Dogs being what they are are continually coming into contact
with parasites.
However, parasites do not have to be a controlling aspect of your dogs' life.
A normal, healthy dog, under normal, healthy conditions will have a properly
strong immune system which is able to control the population of the parasites in
their system.
It's when the immune system is compromised or immature (as in a puppy) that
parasites can become a problem.
Worms are the most common problem in dogs. But there is hope. There
are plenty of medications on the market today that can help control these nasty
things.
So, how did my precious puppy get these nasty worms?
Well he/she got them from mama and mama got them from grandma and so on and so
on. It passes through the mother's milk into the puppy's own system.
Also, mama being the good mama that she is, cleans her puppies constantly--well
at least at first--so she reintroduces the worms back into her system. As
the puppies get older, mama kind of let's the cleaning duty slide as she takes up
other duties--like teaching her puppies proper dog behavior. And so,
puppies can continually introduce and re-introduce worms to each other.
Older puppies also will get worms by just being in the environment.
Playing where other puppies or dogs have played or just being around the feces that have
unknowingly come into the house. Parasites are everywhere and are
impossible to keep completely under control.
And what about these Mite bugs?
That's another one of those things mama passes on--mites. Some are pretty
harmless like dandruff mites, but others can be pretty nasty, like mange mites.
However, none of them are serious as long as the immune system is strong and
mature. Sick dogs and puppies have the biggest problem with them.
There are medications for this as well, even though these can be stubborn bugs
sometimes.
And what is a protozoa--mainly Giardia and Coccidiosis????
It's a small organism that lives in the intestines and causes all sort
of nasty problems. They can cause all kinds of problems and can be
difficult to avoid, control and impossible to eliminate. They are sturdy
little opportunists that grab at the chance to get a hold of your little darlin'
and make life miserable. But they can also be treated--although catching
it early is essential. These are the most nasty of the nasties and can
cause the most trouble. They tend to crop up in times of stress (weaning,
going to a new home, even changing food can be stressful).
Can I prevent these nasties from getting my puppy?
No, it's nearly impossible to avoid them. They are everywhere in the
environment. But, you can prevent these nasties from getting a good hold
on your puppy/dog.
Is there something I can do to control them?
Absolutely. A clean environment--clean pen, water and food dishes--goes a
long way in controlling these critters. And routine care--medication and
testing--can also help in early detection which also makes for quicker
resolution of these problems. Proper nutrition is important as well--no
dumpster diving for doggies, please.
How will I know my puppy has one of these nasties?
*Intestinal worms are very evident in stool samples. If you see a puppy
with a dull coat and enlarged stomach but thin everywhere else, that puppy
probably has a pretty serious infestation of worms.
*Heartworms are a little harder to detect until in the later stages of
infestation, which is why it's so important to do testing and treatment
routinely.
*Mites can look like dandruff on the skin--although if it looks like dandruff,
it could very well be dandruff. You may notice what looks like sand
particles on the skin.
*Fleas are very easily detected. You can see the adult, or see the
sand-like particles that are the eggs, also your dog will scratch.
*Giardia and Coccidiosis show up most commonly as diarrhea. A puppy can
have normal diarrhea (even with a little bit of blood in it) in stressful
situations (like going to a new home), and if food is switched too quickly or in
the case of a food allergy. However, that puppy will most likely retain a
good appetite and still be very playful. But, a puppy with giardia or
coccidiosis will have watery, bloody diarrhea and a loss of appetite. They
won't be as playful and will seem sick. This is a potentially dangerous
situation and needs vet attention immediately.
What can my breeder do to help me with this?
*Puppies should have been treated for regular dewormings, and treatments to
remove the mites and/or fleas.
*Parents should be on a routine treatment for heartworms and other parasites
normal for the area.
*There's not much a breeder can do for Giardia and Coccidiosis as it is so
common, but they need to keep their kennels clean in an effort to keep the
spread of this under control. Some breeders will use prophylactic measures
to contain the development of these nasties, but it still is impossible to
completely avoid it.
What can I do to help my puppy?
*While you are waiting for puppy to grow up, be very mindful of following your
vet's advice for routine care. Regularly scheduled fecal examinations and
follow up medication are very necessary in the first year of a puppy's life.
After that, even adults need periodic examinations and treatment. Discuss
with your vet your needs based on your lifestyle. An animal that is out
and about often is going to need treatment more often than one that never leaves
the house. However, even the dog that never leaves the house will still
need periodic treatment. It's just the nature of this particular nasty.
*Keep the puppy's living area (especially the potty place) clean.
*Keep the puppy's exposure to outside contaminants to a minimum for at least the
first 6 months. Even beyond that if your vet feels the need. Romps
in the park or visits to pet stores might be better delayed until the puppy is
older.
*Be aware of your puppy's friends. Avoid other animals where you are not
sure if the animal's mom and/or dad are conscientious of these problems.