No dog, regardless of breed or age, is immune from infection with helminthic diseases widespread in nature. Parasitic worms can enter a dog's body in a variety of ways.
Ways a dog can become infected with helminthic diseases:
*The most common way of infecting a dog is through various external sources that contain helminth eggs - dog feces, food, water from puddles and ponds, licking dirty objects infected with eggs, raw fish, and so on. Dogs mainly become infected during daily walks.
*The second route of infection is more rare and occurs during direct contact of a dog with another dog sick with helminth infections or through intermediate hosts living on the dog - fleas and ticks.
Can worms be transmitted from dogs to humans?
What effect do worms have on dogs?
What are the signs of worms in dogs?
Typical signs of worms in dogs are:
If your dog exhibits at least one of the above signs, you and your pet need to visit veterinary clinic.
- Nematodes ( roundworms).
- Cestodes (tapeworms).
- Trematodes (flukes).
- intestinal;
- hepatic;
- pulmonary;
- cardiac.
Each of the above types of worms causes a certain helminthic disease, With characteristic symptoms and the ability to become chronic, leading to exhaustion of the dog. It must be borne in mind that nematodes and whipworms can easily infect humans.
Intestinal helminthiases
They are the most common helminthic diseases in dogs. They are usually represented by tapeworms, roundworms, whipworms and hookworms, which enter the dog's body from the environment.
These helminths enter the dog’s body as a result of the dog eating grass. In the body of a dog, toxascaridiosis takes the following path: from the invasive eggs of worms that have entered the dog’s digestive tract, larvae emerge, where they are freed from the shell and migrate throughout the dog’s body. Having been in the liver, they penetrate the right half of the heart, from where they enter the lungs. Then the larvae are selected from the vessels of the lungs, moving into the alveoli, bronchioles and begin to move upward along the bronchi. From the trachea they enter the pharynx. And from here, with food or saliva, they again enter the dog’s digestive tract. In the small intestine, the larvae linger, grow, and after three weeks become adult worms.
Helminth larvae migrating throughout the dog’s body can be found not only in the liver and lungs. Some of the larvae from the lungs enter big circle blood circulation, and from there - into various tissues of animals, where a membrane is formed around them. Light nodules appear in the kidneys, liver, heart and other muscles, in the center of which the larvae are located.
Such nodules also form in the internal organs, muscles of mice and rats accidentally infected with toxocariasis. A dog that eats such a rodent also gets sick.
Another route of infection is intrauterine. If the dog is pregnant, migrating Toxocara larvae, which enter the systemic circulation, can be introduced into the fetus through the placenta (with its help, communication between the mother’s body and the embryo is established). The larvae linger in the liver and lungs of the fruit. And in the first days of a puppy’s life, they penetrate the intestines.
Dogs with toxascariasis excrete helminth eggs in their feces. IN warm time years, at 30 degrees and sufficient humidity, larvae develop from eggs in three days. From eggs swallowed with food or water in the dog's intestines, larvae hatch, which penetrate into the thickness of the intestinal wall, where the larvae molt. Soon they reappear in the lumen small intestines, where they molt again, grow and reach sexual maturity.
Hookworm– a disease caused by the nematode Ancylostoma caninum. Whitish nematode with a reddish tint. In her mouth she has a capsule in which there are three pairs of symmetrically arranged teeth that are bent inward, like hooks, and those on the side are larger than the rest. Males measure 9-12mm in length, females 9-21mm. After 12-24 hours, after excretion of feces, the larva emerges from the egg. The larvae molt twice and after 5-6 days have the ability to infect. Such rapid development occurs only at an optimal temperature of 20-30 degrees. In this case, a decrease or increase in temperature adversely affects the development of larvae. Raising the temperature to 60 degrees kills eggs and larvae at all stages of their development within 2-3 seconds. Dry hot air with simultaneous action of direct sun rays also leads to rapid death of eggs and larvae.
In winter, all hookworm eggs and larvae die. The larvae can move not only through the soil, but also along plant stems. In the dog's body, the larvae turn into adult worms after 2 weeks. One hookworm lays about 16 thousand eggs per day. The lifespan of hookworms ranges from 43 to 100 weeks. Hookworms live mainly in the duodenum, attaching to the intestinal mucosa with the help of their capsule, they damage it. The dog is experiencing intestinal bleeding. Injuries to the intestinal mucosa become entry points for microorganisms inhabiting the intestines and provoke the occurrence of various infectious diseases in dogs.
After 12-24 hours, after the dog passes feces, the larva emerges from the eggs. The larva molts twice within 5-6 days at the optimal temperature (20-30 ° C) and becomes invasive. A decrease or increase in external temperature has an adverse effect on the development of larvae. Raising the temperature to 60°C kills eggs and larvae at all stages of development within 2-3 seconds. Dry hot air with simultaneous exposure to direct sunlight leads to the rapid death of eggs and larvae.
In winter, all the eggs and larvae of the uncinaria die, and the yards. Where sick dogs stop going, they become safe for the spread of infection.
However, if the eggs survive, the larvae, which are still harmless, lie in the feces. As soon as they have the opportunity to become infected, they begin to crawl out of the feces. The crawled larvae begin to move not only along the soil, but along plant stems.
Dogs become infected when water and food containing uncinaria larvae enter their digestive tract. After 13-16 days in puppies and 2-3 weeks in adult dogs, they reach sexual maturity.
In dogs, there is a second route of infection, when the larvae crawl out onto the grass, land on animals and enter the body even through intact skin. Moreover, when the larvae are carried by blood, only 1% of them end up in the gastrointestinal tract.
Once in the small intestine, uncinaria, with the help of their capsule, attach to the intestinal mucosa, causing its damage. Intestinal bleeding occurs. Injuries to the intestinal mucosa, as well as the skin, which appear as a result of the penetration of larvae into the dog’s body, become entry points for various microorganisms and contribute to the occurrence of various infectious diseases.
Additionally, the uncinarium capsule contains a special gland that secretes poisons that destroy red blood cells. These poisons and the release of metabolic products by the worms themselves disrupt the normal functioning of the hematopoietic organs, changing the composition of the blood.
Symptoms of the disease
Acute uncinariasis most often affects young dogs. The intensity of infection with uncinarium in young dogs is always higher than in adults. Puppies can have up to several hundred uncinaria in their intestines.
The acute course of the disease in dogs begins with loss of appetite, up to a complete refusal to eat food, and then its perversion. The dog vomits and has diarrhea, which alternates with constipation. When examining liquid feces, we note the presence of mucus and blood. The visible mucous membranes of the dog are pale upon examination. In the case of a severe course of the disease, the dog begins to bloody diarrhea. On the 8-9th day after infection, the puppy develops eosinophilia (the number of eosinophils in the blood sometimes reaches 40%). Before death, the content of eosinophils in the blood of sick puppies, on the contrary, sharply decreases, which is a poor prognostic sign.
The acute course of uncinariasis lasts from eight days to one month. If treatment is not carried out, the dog dies or the disease becomes chronic.
The chronic course of the disease is characterized by the same symptoms as with acute form, but they occur much weaker and more gradually, and with the death of the unicinarium dog in the body, all the symptoms of the disease disappear.
Echinococcosis(echinococcus) is a disease of dogs caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus.
The causative agent is a small cestode, 2-6 mm long. It has a scolex, equipped with 4 suckers, the diameter of which is 0.13 mm, located at a considerable distance from the proboscis, and the proboscis with two rows of hooks (from 28 to 50 hooks). The long harness widens towards the first, almost square segment (asexual). The second segment is hermaphroditic. The genital openings open on the side of the penis. The last segment is mature, it is much longer and wider than the previous one. The segment is filled with a tree-like uterus, which contains 400-800 eggs.
Biology of the pathogen. Dogs in external environment Mature cestode segments are excreted along with feces, contaminating grass, soil, feed, water bodies and other environmental objects. Initially they are on the surface of feces, after 1-3 hours they can no longer be detected. The segments are able to move, and therefore they spread in different directions. The segments stop 5-25 centimeters from the dog’s feces, ending up on grass, hay, straw, and water. They can even climb grass stems. During movement, eggs are released from the front of the segments.
The segments of echinococcus that remain on the dog's anus also spread, seeding the dog's fur located next to the anus with eggs.
When the segments crawl across the skin in the anal area, they cause itching in the dog. The dog begins to crawl with its backside on the ground and a wide variety of objects. At the same time, both segments and eggs of echinococcus appear on them. Additionally, the dog quite often touches the anus with its muzzle, licks places causing itching. The eggs remain on the face, and additional seeding of the fur occurs.
For further development, the eggs must reach intermediate hosts - sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, and other wild animals that become infected with echinococcosis when worm eggs enter the gastrointestinal tract with food and water. Infection with echinococcosis occurs especially often and easily in pastures, where shepherds' dogs run with livestock.
A person can become ill with echinococcosis under the same circumstances as animals. Echinococcus eggs usually fall to humans directly from the dog, when the owner strokes and caresses it, while he contaminates his hands with eggs stuck to the dog's fur. In the future, eggs from unwashed hands end up on food and with it into the intestines. Children and adults who not only pet dogs but also kiss them can become infected with echinococcosis.
When the intermediate host swallows the eggs of echinococcosis, the larvae are released from their membranes, penetrate the intestinal wall, penetrate the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels and by the flow of blood or lymph are carried into different organs. First of all, they enter the vessels of the liver, where they often linger in the smallest vessels. Hence the liver is their most common habitat. The larvae also often live in the lungs. At the same time, they can penetrate into muscles, other tissue and organs. There, from each larva an echinococcal vesicle grows, which is a dense ball filled with a colorless liquid. In such a bubble there are so-called daughter bubbles, which in turn contain grandchild bubbles, etc. All bubbles are filled with liquid. On the inner surface of these bubbles are capsules, hundreds of capsules with heads. A large number of capsules are also found in the liquid that fills the blisters.
The size of an echinococcal bladder ranges from a pea to a watermelon. Moreover, such a bubble grows slowly, after 5 months the diameter of the bubble reaches one centimeter, it reaches its maximum size after two to three decades.
The life cycle of echinococcus ends when its vesicles with heads are eaten by dogs. Dogs become infected when dog owners feed them the entrails and defective organs of killed farm animals or when the dog eats the carcasses of livestock and wild herbivores that have died from echinococcosis.
From each head located in the capsule, adult echinococci develop. On the 10th day after infection, only heads with an elongated neck are present in the dog’s intestines. On the 25th day the worm consists of two segments. On the 35th day, the echinococcus already has three segments. And only on days 68-97 after infection, the dog’s mature segments begin to come out with feces.
The lifespan of echinococci in a dog’s body ranges from 150 to 187 days.
Pathogenesis. Echinococci begin to exert their pathogenic effect on the dog’s body from the moment the embryonic scolex penetrates the intestinal mucosa. As a result of mechanical damage to the mucous membrane, its swelling develops, with the further development of inflammation. Additionally, echinococci have a toxic effect on the dog’s body. Echinococcosis in dogs can be complicated by infectious diseases (etc.).
Diagnosis. An intravital diagnosis is made by deworming dogs, with the identification of released cestodes, as well as the presence of mature segments of echinococcus in fresh feces. Post-mortem – by finding echinococci in the pathological material.
The definitive hosts are dogs and cats who become infected by eating contaminated raw, frozen, or dried fish. Metacercariae in the dog's gastrointestinal tract are released from the membrane and penetrate through the bile duct into the bile ducts of the liver, as well as into gallbladder and the pancreas, where after 3-4 weeks they reach the sexually mature stage. Due to the presence of suckers, opisthorchiasis digs into the listed organs, causing disruption in their functioning.
Opisthorchiasis is distributed focally, in the river basins from the Ob - Irtysh basin, the basin of the Volga, Don, Dnieper, Northern Dvina rivers. The main places of infection of mollusks are oxbow lakes, channels, branches, bays rich in vegetation.
Pathogenesis. Opisthorchis in bile ducts and the passages of the pancreas mechanically irritate the mucous membrane of the ducts and cause inflammation of the liver parenchyma and pancreatic tissue. Additionally, worms secrete poisons. As a result bile ducts they look like strongly swollen cords or cyst-like expansions form in them, we note degeneration of the tissues of the liver and pancreas.
Signs of illness in a dog.
With a strong intensity of invasion in dogs, during a clinical examination, experts note jaundice (yellowness of the sclera, visible mucous membranes and skin), the skin becomes dry, its elasticity disappears, with a chronic course of the disease, the skin of a sick dog on palpation is similar to parchment, a disorder in the functioning of the digestive organs (recurrent diarrhea and constipation), loss of appetite, depression, exhaustion. With deep palpation we find an enlarged liver; in some sick dogs it is possible to establish a tuberous liver; the liver is painful on palpation. Body temperature is usually within normal limits. The disease lasts from several months to 2-3 years.
Diagnosis. An intravital diagnosis is made on the basis of helminth-ovoscopic examination of feces - we find opisthorchis eggs.
Alariasis. The causative agent of the trematode Alaria alata in the mature stage is localized in the stomach and intestines of the dog.
Biology. Alaria eggs with the feces of infested dogs fall into the water, where at an optimal temperature of 21-27°C, after 2 weeks, larvae emerge from them - miracidia, which then actively invade the body of intermediate hosts - freshwater mollusks. The development of larvae in them at a temperature of 22-24 degrees lasts 35-45 days. And at a temperature of 18-19 degrees – 77 days. Cercariae emerging from mollusks actively penetrate the tissues of additional hosts - tadpoles and frogs, where they develop into metacercariae. In tadpoles, metacercariae are found in the tail and body cavity, in frogs - in the muscles of the tongue, in the submandibular muscles, and much less often in the muscles of the paws. Alaria metacercariae, once in the digestive tract of dogs, cannot immediately develop into the sexually mature stage. Initially, freed from the membranes of the cysts, they perforate the wall of the stomach or intestines and enter the abdominal cavity. After this, they penetrate the chest cavity through the diaphragm and are introduced into the lung parenchyma. In the lung, within two weeks, they complete the first stage of their development and migrate from the lung through the bronchi, trachea, pharynx and esophagus into the dog’s gastrointestinal tract, where they soon reach sexual maturity. Reservoir hosts – various species of mammals and birds – take part in the development cycle of alaria.
Pathogenesis. During the migration of metacercariae from the stomach of dogs into the abdominal cavity, and subsequently into the lung, inflammatory foci appear in the tissues and organs along the course of the alaria larvae, especially in the lung. With intensive invasion, sexually mature alaria cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine.
Signs of illness in a dog.
With a small amount of alaria in the dog’s body, there are no symptoms of the disease. When dogs, especially young ones, ingest a large number of alaria larvae, within a few days their body temperature rises. Upon clinical examination of such a dog, the general condition is depressed, breathing is heavy, wheezing on auscultation of the lungs, and dullness on percussion. All this leads to high mortality, mainly among puppies. With a strong infestation of mature alaria in a dog, owners note a decrease in appetite, as well as digestive disorders, accompanied by diarrhea and sometimes vomiting.
Diagnosis. An intravital diagnosis is made on the basis of helminth-ovoscopic examination of feces for the presence of large alaria eggs.
Morphology. A cestode up to 5 meters long and consisting of 500-700 segments. The scolex, has a diameter of about 1 mm, is equipped with a proboscis with a double crown of large and small hooks (26-44 hooks). Four suction cups with a diameter of 0.31 mm are close to each other. The neck reaches a length of 0.50 mm. Young segments are short and wide. Hermaphroditic segments are twice as long as they are wide. The posterior edges of the segments somewhat cover the edges of neighboring segments. The genital papillae almost do not protrude beyond the edges of the segment, alternate irregularly and are located near the middle of the lateral edge. The eggs are oval in shape and contain a larva with six hooks (oncosphere).
Dogs become infected by eating the organs of animals affected by cysticerci. Until the sexually mature stage, shadows grow in the intestines of dogs for about 2-3 months, and the life expectancy of cestodes is over a year.
Epizootology. The disease is widespread everywhere where sanitary conditions keeping animals and routine deworming of dogs is not carried out. Hunting dogs become infected when they eat the entrails of hunted wild animals, or when hunters do not comply with sanitary rules.
Pathogenesis. Tenias, with their scolex armed with hooks, mechanically damage the dog’s intestinal mucosa, causing bleeding. With a large number of shadows in the intestines in dogs, obstruction and rupture of the intestinal wall may occur, followed by the development of peritonitis. Shadow toxins, when absorbed into the blood, disrupt the function of the hematopoietic organs, endocrine glands and cause disorders of the central nervous system.
Diagnosis. Veterinary specialists make a lifetime diagnosis of taeniasis in dogs based on signs of the disease and the detection of mature taenia segments in freshly excreted feces.
Morphology. In a dog's body, the wide tapeworm grows up to 6 meters. The size of the scolex is 2-3 mm, it is compressed from the sides and instead of suckers it has two deep slits. The width of the segments exceeds their length. Numerous testes (700-800) are located dorsally in the lateral fields of the segments. The paired ovary in its shape resembles the wings of a butterfly and lies near the posterior edge of the segment... The genital openings are located in the middle of the ventral surface of the body, in each segment there are 3 genital openings: male, vagina and uterus. The eggs are oval in shape, have a length of 0.063-0.073 mm, a width of 0.040.052 mm, and are equipped with a lid.
Development cycle. The broad tapeworm develops with the participation of additional and intermediate hosts. With the feces of dogs, the eggs are released into the external environment; for their further development, they must fall into the water, where a larva covered with cilia (coracidia) develops in the egg. Soon the lid of the egg rises, and the larva leaves the egg and begins to swim in the water.
The larva floats in the water until it is eaten by the Cyclops crustacean or the Diaptomus crustacean. In the intestine of the crustacean, the larva sheds cilia and penetrates into the cavity of its body. After 2-3 weeks, it turns into a second-stage larva (procercoid).
As a result of infection with procercoids, crustaceans become inactive, and they easily become prey for small freshwater fish. Cyclops digest them in their digestive tract, and the larvae penetrate through the wall of the stomach or intestines into the muscles, body cavity, and liver of fish, where they develop to the next larval stage - plerocercides. Plerocercoids are flat larvae ranging from a few millimeters to 15-20 mm in length and 2-3 mm in width.
Small fish containing larvae are caught by pike, perch, ruffe, burbot and other predators - additional hosts for the broad tapeworm. The larvae do not die in them, but penetrate into the cavity of their body, into the muscles. In this case, the smaller the fish, the more tapeworm there is.
Dogs become infected with diphyllobothriasis when fed raw, dried or poorly cooked fish infested with tapeworm plerocercoids.
Once in the body of their final host, the larvae attach their heads to the intestinal wall and begin to grow rapidly. After 2-2.5 months, the wide tapeworm in the dog’s intestines reaches the mature stage and begins to lay eggs. Life expectancy in a dog’s body varies from several months to one and a half years.
Epizootology. Canine teniasis is widespread. This invasion is especially widespread in populated areas where livestock owners keep their farms in unsatisfactory veterinary and sanitary conditions. Hunting dogs most often become infected during hunts, when hunters feed them the entrails of hunted game.
Pathogenesis. Tapeworms, with their attachment organs, damage the dog’s intestinal mucosa, causing inflammation. If there is a large accumulation of tapeworms, a ball of worms can form, resulting in an intestinal obstruction in the dog. Cestodes, releasing large amounts of toxins and poisons, cause damage to the central nervous system, which manifests itself in dogs with seizures and convulsions.
Symptoms of the disease in dogs. Sick dogs are depressed; their owners often note a perverted appetite, vomiting, alternating diarrhea and constipation, as a result of which the dog becomes exhausted.
With intensive infestation by the broad tapeworm, sick dogs develop leukocytosis, a degenerative shift in leukocyte formula, eosinophilia, dysproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, the content of potassium and sodium in the blood serum decreases. Protein appears in the urine.
Some sick dogs show symptoms of damage to the central nervous system, which are manifested by seizures, convulsions, convulsions, etc.
Diagnosis. When making a diagnosis, attention is paid to feeding the dog raw fish and symptoms such as nervous disorders. A lifetime diagnosis is made based on the discovery of tapeworm eggs in the dog’s feces in a veterinary laboratory. Often the dog owner himself can make the diagnosis when segments or strobila fragments are found on the surface of the feces.
Dirophyllariasis– a helminthic disease of dogs caused by nematodes that are localized in the heart and pulmonary artery, as well as in the subcutaneous tissue. This disease is described in more detail on our website in the article -. 
How to deworm a dog?
The dog is usually dewormed in the morning, by giving a single anthelmintic in a small amount of food (a piece of sausage, meat) or by forcefully administering the drug. When carrying out the treatment, preliminary fasting of the dog is not required, nor is it necessary to use a laxative. If the dog has a severe infestation, then treatment with an anthelmintic drug must be repeated after 10 days.
What anthelmintic drugs are available in veterinary pharmacies?
Manufactured anthelmintic drugs, which are sold through veterinary pharmacies, may contain one active substance directed against one type of helminth, or contain several active ingredients, which have an effect on a number of helminths.
In practice, there are cases when a dog can be affected by several invasive diseases, so it would be advisable to use a complex anthelmintic drug that has an effect on all types of helminths that the dog has.
All dog owners need to be clear that the dose of each drug is strictly calculated based on the body weight of your dog.
Other drugs are also used, which manufacturers periodically release into the retail veterinary network.
When carrying out deworming, you must keep in mind the fact that if your dog has fleas, which are often carriers of helminths, you must first get rid of them. Otherwise, the deworming you carried out will be useless.
Prevention of helminthic diseases in dogs
To prevent helminths in dogs, deworming is recommended. The first deworming is carried out when the puppy reaches one one month old. In the future, this preventive procedure should be repeated every 3 months. Before mating, the female must be dewormed two weeks before mating. To avoid infecting a newborn puppy with worms, deworming must be repeated 2 weeks after birth.
Antiprotozoal, or antiprotozoal, agents are used in dogs and cats and other animals against protozoal diseases (azidine, berenyl, trypansine, etc.).
compliance with the rules of keeping and feeding dogs and cats, taking good care of them;
extermination of mice and rats, catching and destruction of stray dogs and cats - distributors of invasion among domestic animals and humans;
thorough preventive measures against anthropozoons (trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, etc.;
carrying out preventive deworming and chemopreventive treatments for dogs and cats;
prohibition of feeding animals with infested (contaminated) meat products and their waste;
isolation of dogs and cats affected by skin and other diseases.
Helminthiasis
Helminthiases are the most numerous diseases (more than 60%) and are widespread. Among helminthiases of dogs and cats, trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes are distinguished. Their pathogens differ sharply in structure and development. Acanthocephalans are not recorded in these animals.
Cestodoses are diseases whose causative agents belong to tapeworms - (hydatigenous taeniasis, pisiform taeniasis, feline hydatigenosis, canine multiceptosis, canine echinococcosis, canine alveococcosis, dipylidia and dephyllobothriasis).
Nematodes are caused by helminths from the class of roundworms - (toxocariasis, canine toxascariasis, canine hookworm disease and trichinosis).
Geohelminths develop directly without the participation of an intermediate host (Toxocara dogs, etc.), that is, the life cycle of the helminth occurs in the same animal. In addition to the definitive (main) host, the development of biohelminths involves an intermediate and sometimes an additional host (echinococcus, opisthorchus, etc.), in whose body the helminth goes through a certain stage of development - maturation.
Opisthorchiasis
Etiology
Opisthorchis feline has a lanceolate-shaped body about 10 mm long.
Life cycle
Opisthorchus is a biohelminth. It develops with a change of three groups of hosts: definitive (animals and humans), intermediate (freshwater mollusk Bithinia) and additional (cyprinid fish).
Dogs, cats and humans become infected by eating fish containing small invasive larvae in the muscles - metacercania (0.2 mm in diameter). Animals and humans become infected by eating fish caught in an unfavorable body of water.
Epizootological data
The transmission factor for opisthorchiasis infestation is raw, frozen, lightly salted and dried fish infected with larvae (metacercaria) of opisthorchiasis. Natural hotbeds This trematode infection is most often caused by aquatic fur-bearing animals.
Signs of illness
Signs of the disease are indigestion, emaciation, yellowness of the conjunctiva).
Opisthorchid is diagnosed intravitally in a veterinary laboratory by examining fecal samples of dogs and cats using the method of sequential washing and detection of trematode eggs.
First aid
Measure body temperature. Prescribe an easily digestible diet. Send the dog to a veterinary hospital and take a fecal sample for laboratory testing. Carry out a thorough cleaning of the room and bed.
For deworming of domestic and wild carnivores, hexichol and hexachloroethane, hexachloroparaxylene are used in the same doses as hexachloroethane.
Hexichol is prescribed in a dose of 0.2 g/kg, once, individually, in a mixture with a small amount of minced meat after a 12-hour fast. In severe cases of opisthorchiasis, hexichol is used in fractional doses (0.1 g/kg per dose) for two days in a row.
Prevention
It is prohibited to feed raw, smoked or dried fish to animals and humans.
Causes of the disease
Tenia hydatigenis is one of the largest cestodes of dogs and cats (up to 5 m in length), with an armed scolex (25–45 hooks), numerous testes (500–600), a two-lobed ovary in hermaphrodite segments and a branched uterus (5–10 processes with each sides) in mature segments.
Tenia hydatigenis is a biohelminth. The main hosts (dogs, wolves, etc.) and intermediate hosts (domestic and wild herbivores, pigs and rarely humans) take part in the development of this cestode. Dogs and cats become infected by eating omentums and other internal organs of intermediate hosts infested with large thin-walled vesicular larvae (up to chicken egg), called “thin-necked” ciscerci with one scolex inside.
Epizootological data
Signs of illness
With a high intensity of invasion (more than five copies of cestodes in the intestines), sick dogs experience alternating diarrhea and constipation, emaciation, perverted appetite, itching in the anus, and convulsions.
The presence of mature members in dog feces can be detected by the owner. They must be collected with tweezers into a bottle and taken to a veterinary facility to determine the species.
Vitamin, milk diet. For constipation, it is necessary to prescribe a laxative - castor oil in quantities from one teaspoon (for cats and small dogs) to 50 ml for medium and up to 100 ml for large dogs.
For taeniasis hydatigenis, as well as for other cestodiases, arecoline hydrobromide and phenosal are used to deworm dogs. Arecoline hydrobromide is prescribed at a dose of 0.004 k/kg of animal weight, single dose should not exceed 0.12 g, 12 hours after the last feeding with milk in bread boluses, pieces of meat or powder. The last feeding before giving the anthelmintic should not be plentiful, and the food is given in the form of porridge.
Before deworming, dogs are not given bones. When using arecoline, dogs are kept on a leash for 12 hours (up to three bowel movements).
Pumpkin seeds are cleaned and ground into powder, which is mixed with 6 parts water. The mixture is boiled for 1 hour. After cooling, remove oil from the surface. The gruel is mixed with an equal amount of flour. Dogs are given 100–200 g on an empty stomach, then an hour later a laxative.
Anazole 25 mg per 1 kg of body weight.
Droncid 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight.
Fenosal is used in a dose of 0.25 g/kg individually, once in the form of a powder mixed with food, as well as tablets without keeping dogs on a starvation diet and without the use of laxatives.
Prevention
Boiling all meat waste that goes into dog food. Dogs over 3 months of age who are kept in flocks and herds are dewormed every 45 days. In conditions of pronounced seasonality, their infection is at least once a quarter. Dogs that do not have contact with public livestock are subjected to preventive treatments twice a year (spring and autumn). Catching and destroying stray dogs and cats.
Taeniasis pisiformis
Tenia pisiformis is similar in structure to Tenia hydatigenus.
This cestode is a biohelminth. Definitive hosts become infected with taeniasis by eating omentums and other organs of rabbits and hares (intermediate hosts) infested with small pisiform cysticerci.
Hunting dogs and wolves are the main sources of taenia infestation in nature. Young animals, especially stray dogs and cats, become more intensively infected.
Signs of illness
With a high intensity of invasion (more than five copies of cestodes in the intestines), sick dogs experience alternating diarrhea and constipation, emaciation, convulsions, itching in the anus, and perverted appetite.
The presence of mature segments in dog feces can be detected by the owner. They need to be collected with tweezers into a bottle and taken to a veterinary facility to determine the species.
First aid
Dairy, vitamin diet. For constipation, a laxative is prescribed - castor oil in quantities from one teaspoon (for cats and small dogs) to 50 ml for medium and up to 100 ml for large dogs.
Treatment is the same as for taeniasis hydatigenis.
Prevention
In order to prevent infection of hunting dogs with taeniasis, they should not be fed the internal organs of hares, which are often affected by pisiform cysticerci. When slaughtering rabbits at home, the liver, omentum and mesenteries must be boiled before feeding them to dogs and cats.
Feline hydatigerosis
Feline hydatigerosis is a helminthiasis in cats caused by a cestode.
The causative agent of hydatigerosis in domestic and wild cats is a cestode specific to cats - Hydatigera tenieformis, which is localized in their small intestine.
In addition to house mice and gray rats, laboratory white mice and rats are often affected by strobilocerci. The main factor in the transmission of hydatigenic infection to laboratory mice and rats is food contaminated with hydatigenic eggs (if infected cats have access to it).
Signs of illness
Cats experience a depressed state, bloating, prolonged diarrhea, emaciation, and sometimes vomiting.
The diagnostic methods are the same as for the previously described taeniasis.
First aid
At poor appetite The cat is prescribed a milk diet. Wet cleaning of the apartment using a 2% chloramine solution is recommended. The anal area is periodically wiped with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Cats infected with hydatiger are dewormed with phenosal without a preliminary starvation diet (0.1 g/kg of animal weight), bunamidine (0.05 g/kg) mixed with minced meat.
Prevention
Main preventive measure against hydatigerosis in cats, a break in the biological chain is considered: cat - hydatigera - mouse or rat. The destruction of mice and rats prevents infection of cats, and the isolation of food for laboratory animals from cats eliminates the infestation of mouse-like rodents.
Canine multiceptosis
Causes and course of the disease
The brain tapeworm is a medium-length cestode (60–80 cm).
The brain tapeworm develops with a change of hosts. Dogs, wolves and foxes are the definitive hosts, while sheep and very rarely humans are intermediate hosts. Dogs and wolves are infected by eating sheep's heads, the brains of which contain tsenur, or the larval stage of the multiceps pathogen. The cenurus is a thin-walled bladder of significant size (up to a chicken egg or larger), containing fluid and many scolex on the inner membrane (300–500 pieces). Localization of tsenur - head and less often spinal cord sheep.
Multiceptus infestation is spread mainly by shepherd dogs. One such dog releases several million brain tapeworm eggs into the external environment (pasture).
The signs of the disease do not differ significantly from the symptoms of taeniasis hydatigenis.
First aid
Before deworming a dog, it needs to improve its housing and feeding conditions. Bones should not be fed. If there is constipation, the condition of the sick animal is alleviated by a cleansing enema using a medium-sized syringe. Used for enema clean water room temperature. To avoid pain, water is poured slowly into the animal’s intestines. In some cases, to facilitate the excretion of feces, castor oil or a small amount of baby soap (a tablespoon of shavings per 1 liter of water) is added to the water.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment and prevention are not fundamentally different from those for taeniasis hydatigenes. In addition, it is necessary to reliably disinfect the heads of slaughtered sheep infested with tsenuria by thermal means.
Canine echinococcosis
Sexually mature echinococcus granulosa is a very small cestode (2–6 mm in length), consists of a scolex armed with 30–40 hooks and 3–4 segments. The last segment is filled with a sac-like uterus, which contains 500–750 small eggs.
The development of Echinococcus granulosa occurs when mandatory participation main hosts (dogs, wolves, foxes) and intermediate hosts (ungulates and humans). The primary (definitive) hosts become infected with imaginal echinococcus by eating the liver, as well as other organs and tissues infested with viable echinococcal bladders containing daughter and grandchild bladders. The number of scolex in one bladder can range from tens to several hundreds or thousands.
Echinococcosis belongs to the widespread cestodeses of domestic animals. If personal hygiene rules are not observed when interacting with dogs, a person can become infected with the larval stage of echinococcus.
Signs and course of the disease
In dogs with mature echinococcosis, attention is drawn to symptoms such as exhaustion, persistent diarrhea, sometimes followed by constipation, an enlarged abdomen, and depression in the general condition of the animal. During such a period, a sick dog poses a great danger to humans. Viable cestode eggs are concentrated on the fur of different parts of the body and on the face.
Small segments of echinococcus can only be detected by examining samples of dog feces using the method of sequential washing (previously doused with boiling water). At negative analysis A dog suspected of having echinococcosis can be subjected to diagnostic deworming with arecoline.
It must be remembered that Echinococcus granulosa, unlike the causative agents of other carnivorous taeniasis, has maximum resistance to anthelmintics, especially in the immature stage, therefore the recommended anti-echinococcosis drugs should be used in optimal therapeutic doses for dogs: phenosal (0.25 g/kg animal weight), arecoline hydrobromide (0.004 g/kg), droncit (0.005 g/kg), vtozol, phenozol.
Prevention
Prevention should be aimed at preventing infection with larval echinococcosis in humans and farm animals, on the one hand, and at preventing infection of dogs and wild carnivores with imaginal echinococcosis, on the other.
Alveococcosis of dogs
Causes of the disease
In structure, alveococcus resembles echinococcus, differing from it in the slightly smaller size of the strobili, the number of testes in the hermaphroditic segment and the round shape of the uterus in the mature segment.
The main role in the development of alveococcus multilocularus as the definitive hosts is played by wild predators - arctic foxes and foxes, as well as wolves and dogs, and intermediate ones - cotton rats, muskrats, voles, and less often - humans. Definitive hosts become infected with imaginal alveococcosis by eating the infested liver and other internal organs of rodents affected by the larval stage of this cestode.
A person becomes infected with larval alveococcosis by eating unwashed lingonberries, cloudberries, blueberries, collected in places where foxes and arctic foxes live, as well as by contact with the skins of these fur-bearing animals. Alveococcus larvae are a conglomerate of small vesicles without liquid, but with scolex. Granulation tissue develops in the spaces between the vesicles. A section of the larval stage of this cystode shows noticeable cellularity.
Alveococcosis in the form of natural foci is often recorded in zones of taiga, tundra and desert, inhabited by arctic foxes and foxes, on the one hand, and mouse-like rodents, on the other.
Signs of the disease in animals have not been studied.
In humans, the disease is very severe. Urgent need surgery, which does not always end well.
In dogs, imaginal alveococcosis is recognized using the same methods as echinococcosis.
First aid and treatment are carried out using the same methods as for echinococcosis.
Prevention
The main distributors of the invasion - arctic foxes and foxes - are not subjected to deworming. Internal organs arctic foxes and foxes are destroyed.
Depilidiosis
Dipylidiasis is recorded at different times of the year. Fleas play a major role in the transmission of infestations. Stray dogs and stray cats are often and intensively infected.
Signs of illness
At weak degree infestations (single specimens of helminths) are noted hidden form dipylidia. The severe form of the disease in dogs and cats is characterized by perverted appetite, depression, emaciation and nervous symptoms.
At home, owners can find microscopic elongated mature segments of cucumber tapeworm in freshly excreted feces of sick dogs or cats, and in a veterinary laboratory - egg capsules.
First aid
Seriously ill animals are given a milk diet. If constipation occurs, castor oil is carefully poured into the dog’s mouth from one teaspoon to three tablespoons, depending on the size of the animal.
In case of dipilidia in dogs, they are dewormed as in case of taeniasis hydatigenis, and in cats - as in case of hydatigenosis.
Prevention
To protect children from contracting dipylidia, care should be taken to ensure that cats and dogs do not have access to the kitchen.
Diphyllobothriasis
The wide tapeworm has a maximum length of 10 m and a width of up to 1.5 cm and great amount members (over 1 thousand). Eggs of the trematode type are medium in size, oval in shape, light yellow in color, immature. One tapeworm produces several million eggs every day.
The broad tapeworm develops in a complex way - with a change of definitive hosts (dogs, cats, foxes and humans), intermediate (Cyclops copepods) and additional (pike, perch, ruffe, etc.). Definitive hosts become infected by eating raw or lightly salted fish infested with small larvae or plerocercoids (up to 6 mm in length). Plerocercoids live in the muscles, subcutaneous cells and eggs.
Signs of illness
Young animals with diphyllobothriasis experience nervous disorders (drowsiness, convulsions, seizures), perverted appetite and anemia.
Diphyllobothriasis is diagnosed intravitally on the basis of epizootic data (feeding animals with fish), clinical symptoms (nervous disorders), laboratory tests of fecal samples from dogs and cats by sequential washing or flotation using a saturated solution of sodium thiosulfate.
Dogs and cats are dewormed with the same drugs that are recommended for taeniasis hydatigenis and hydatigerosis.
Prevention
It is prohibited to feed dogs and cats, as well as wild fur-bearing animals (in fur farms) raw freshwater fish obtained from unfavorable reservoirs. Conduct scheduled deworming of dogs (in spring and autumn), helminthological examination of water bodies, as well as sanitary educational work among fishermen.
Trichinosis
Intestinal trichinella is one of the smallest nematodes (1.5–4 mm). Males have no spicules. Females are viviparous. The larva (muscular trichinella) is located in a lemon-shaped capsule of microscopic size.
The life cycle of Trichinella occurs in one organism, first in the form of intestinal and then muscular trichinosis. Animals and humans become infected by eating meat containing invasive Trichinella larvae.
Trichinosis is widespread focally. Factors of transmission of infection for dogs and cats are eating mouse-like rodents, slaughterhouse and kitchen waste.
Signs of illness
The symptoms of the disease have not been studied enough. In dogs and cats it is observed elevated temperature, diarrhea; a person has fever, swelling of the face, headache, soreness of a muscle group.
Diagnostics for dogs and cats has not been developed.
Treatment of animals with trichinosis has not been developed.
Prevention
Extermination of rats, mice, stray dogs and cats. All carcasses of pigs and other susceptible animals must be subjected to trichinoscopy. Veterinary and medical workers anti-trichinosis measures in disadvantaged areas are carried out jointly.
Hookworm disease
Causes of the disease
Hookworms are small nematodes (6–20 mm in length), one of which has a subterminally located oral capsule armed with triple teeth (hookworm), and the other with cutting chitinous plates (uncinaria).
The causative agents of hookworm disease develop directly. In the external environment, nematode eggs hatch into larvae, which molt twice and become invasive after 7 days. Dogs and cats become infected in two ways:
nutritionally (when ingesting infective larvae);
through the skin.
In the body of animals, hookworm and uncinaria larvae migrate along circulatory system before reaching puberty in small intestine.
Uncinariasis in dogs is recorded everywhere. Factors of transmission of invasion are water and food, as well as soil and litter contaminated with invasive hookworm larvae.
Signs of hookworm disease
Clinically, these nematodes have an acute and chronic course. In the acute course of the disease caused by preimaginal forms of hematodes, anemia of the mucous membranes (nematodes feed on blood), depression, vomiting, and the presence of mucus and blood in the feces are observed. In chronic cases - diarrhea and emaciation.
Along with the medical history, taking into account epidemiological data and clinical symptoms, it is necessary to examine fecal samples of dogs and cats to identify eggs of the strongylid type.
First aid
It is advisable to measure body temperature. Depending on the prevalence of certain disease symptoms, owners of some animals use laxatives for constipation, others - mucous decoctions, others - heat to the abdominal area (for pain and vomiting), etc.
For deworming of sick dogs and cats, piperazine salts (apidinate, sulfate, etc.) are used at a dose of 0.2 g/kg for 3 days in a row, naftamon (0.3 g/kg), tetramizole granulate (0.08 g/kg) once with minced meat or porridge.
Prevention
The measures recommended for canine toxascariasis are also effective for hookworm infections. Keeping the floors in kennels, cages and walking areas clean significantly prevents the active entry of invasive larvae of the worm into the body of dogs and cats through the skin.
Canine toxascariasis
Toxascaridae is a medium-sized nematode (4–10 cm in length). At the head end it has three lips and narrow cuticular wings.
Toxascariasis most often affects adult animals and young dogs older than six months. Factors that transmit the infection are food and water contaminated with invasive toxascarid eggs, as well as mouse-like rodents.
Signs of illness
Signs of the disease are uncharacteristic.
Sick dogs have a depressed state; disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system (diarrhea) and nervous system are noticeable - epileptic seizures.
The main method for diagnosing toxascariasis in dogs is the examination of samples of freshly excreted feces in a veterinary laboratory. Clinical symptoms and epidemiological data of this helminthiasis are of secondary importance. There are often cases of toxascarides being excreted in feces or vomit.
First aid
If single toxascarides are detected released into the external environment, piperazine adipate can be used as an anthelmintic at home at a dose of 0.2 g/kg of animal weight, 3 days in a row, daily with food.
Piperazine salts (adipate or sulfate) are used with food in the dose indicated above; naphtamon (0.2 g/kg), once, individually after a 12-hour fast. Fenzol, ivomec and other drugs are also used. It must be borne in mind that some breeds of dogs (collies, etc.) do not tolerate ivomec well, so they should be used at the same time antihistamines- Diphenhydramine 1% solution intramuscularly only.
Feces excreted within three days after treatment are burned or buried deep in the ground. Cages and booths where animals are kept are disinfected with a blowtorch fire or boiling water.
Prevention
Against toxascariasis, the main preventative measure is daily cleaning dog kennels, areas, cages, pens (places for keeping animals) and their periodic disinfestation (destruction of helminth eggs) using thermal means.
Toxocariasis in dogs and cats
Toxocariasis is an invasive disease of young dogs and foxes.
Cause of illness
Toxocaras are nematodes of considerable size (males up to 10 cm long, females up to 18 cm).
Toxocariasis is one of the most common helminthiases of carnivores in at a young age(up to 3 months of age). The eggs of these pathogens are very resistant to chemicals(in a 3% formaldehyde solution they remain viable for several years).
Signs of illness
Clinical toxocariasis is severe. Puppies often experience vomiting, nervous disorders, diarrhea or constipation, and death is possible.
A significant role of such epizootological data as the young age of animals with toxocariasis. Nematodes can be detected macroscopically in vomit and feces. The veterinary laboratory tests samples of feces and kittens.
First aid
In order to alleviate the serious condition of a sick animal, laxatives are used at home (1–3 teaspoons castor oil) or give an enema using a small syringe, and prescribe a milk diet. When caring, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene and prevention in order to avoid the disease “Larva migrans”.
Treatment and prevention are, in principle, no different from treatment for toxascariasis.
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Based on this, you need to take preventive measures and treatment if necessary. Knowing this information should help you avoid infecting your dogs.
Diphyllobothriasis– infection with a helminth called “broad tapeworm”; the main symptoms of infection are the remains of the body of the worm on the surface of the animal’s feces. A dog can become infected through food, most often through fish that has been infected with tapeworm larvae and has been raw or dried. For treatment, pumpkin seeds, powder or fenasal paste are used. These drugs are given to the dog once and only one of them, the dosage depends on the weight and is calculated according to the principle of 0.1 - 0.2 g per 1 kg of weight of fenasal powder or 0.1 g per 3 kg of weight of fenasal paste (apply to the root of the tongue). Treatment can be considered successful when the helminths leave the body completely (along with the heads). If complete cleansing does not occur and the heads do not come out, then the tapeworms may after a certain time grow to sexual maturity and treatment will have to be carried out again, so it is very important to monitor the completeness of the course of treatment.
Dipylidiasis– a fairly common disease among dogs, the causative agents of which are tapeworms (canine dipylidia or cucumber tapeworm).
Dogs become infected through insects that contain worm larvae. This happens when dogs lick themselves, such as while toileting, and the insects become ingested.
When infected with tapeworms, dogs lose their appetite and lose weight, or, on the contrary, their appetite increases, but the dog continues to lose weight, and diarrhea begins, alternating with constipation. Colic appears and the mucous membranes become inflamed, and the visible mucous membranes turn pale. Intestinal inflammation begins, which can develop into chronic inflammation.
Ticks– common blood-sucking parasites that can be carriers of diseases dangerous to dogs, such as piroplasmosis.
For preventive purposes, dogs should be examined after walks, especially in the spring and summer, when tick activity intensifies. It is advisable to walk your dogs less often through tall grass. Ticks can appear on any part of an animal’s body (on the ears, near the eyes, in skin folds, on the paws and in the most inconspicuous places), so it is necessary not to lose vigilance and get rid of parasites on time. You can remove ticks by coating them with alcohol, iodine or kerosene, and then swab them, for example, with a cotton pad soaked in the substance so that the parasite falls off. If there are no means to get rid of the tick immediately, you still shouldn’t tear it off or crush it, because if its oral sucking apparatus is not removed with the main body, it can cause Negative consequences, for example, infection. So you should be careful and take care of your dogs.
Or does your pet already need help? Read the most important information about dog health in our publication.
Why should a dog owner read this article?
Signs and symptoms of many dog diseases are often noticeable as early as early stages. The owner’s task is to pay attention to them and start treating the pet in a timely manner or go with him to a veterinary clinic. In some cases, postponing a visit to the doctor is an unforgivable mistake by the owner, which can lead to irreparable consequences.
Putting together a veterinary first aid kit
Every owner should have medical instruments and medicines in order to help the dog if necessary. It is advisable to take a first aid kit with you if you are traveling somewhere with your dog.
Medicines are administered into the animal's body in two ways: enterally (through the mouth or rectum) and parenterally (using intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections).
IN veterinary medicine cabinet must be present:
- A container in which all instruments and medicines will be stored. Dimensions: 310/200/280;
- Cotton diaper (the size of the diaper depends on the size of the dog);
- Gauze napkins and bandage (for dressing) depending on the size of the dog;
- Elastic bandage (for fixing the bandage, can be used as a tourniquet);
- Adhesive plaster (for fixing the bandage);
- Cotton wool or cotton buds(for cleaning ears, eyes, wounds, applying medications);
- Tweezers;
- Special sticks for caring for dog ears;
- Scissors;
- Thermometer for measuring a dog's body temperature.
From medicines and funds the dog may need:
- Hydrogen peroxide solution (3%);
- Furacin ointment;
- Activated carbon;
- Kaopectate;
- White magnesia.
Dog diseases: main symptoms of poor health
It is important to notice signs of illness in a dog in time and describe them as accurately as possible. veterinarian at the clinic and begin treatment. The following will indicate that your pet needs help:
How to distinguish a healthy animal from a sick one?
Signs of good health in a dog
In order for you to distinguish a healthy dog from a sick one, we will tell you about some signs characteristic of a dog with feeling good and strong immunity:
- A healthy dog looks cheerful, is active in communicating with people and other animals, and is playful;
- The pet's coat is shiny, lies neatly hair to hair, there is no shedding out of season;
- The pet has a good appetite and normal stool;
- A healthy dog is clean;
- In wool healthy dog no fleas.
Infectious diseases of dogs. Vaccination schedule
Any dog can get an infectious disease. This is due to pathogenic microorganisms entering the pet’s body. However, infection of a pet usually occurs only when its body is susceptible to infection. Some infectious diseases dogs are very dangerous and occur in the form of epidemics.
The most common of them:
- Carnivore plague
- Parvovirus enteritis
Contagious viral disease of dogs. Characterized by fever, acute inflammation of the mucous membranes, skin rash, pneumonia and severe damage to the nervous system.
Contagious viral disease of dogs. It is characterized by complete refusal of food, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, dehydration, and severe diarrhea.
- Infectious hepatitis
- Rabies
Acute contagious viral disease. Manifested by fever, inflammation of the mucous membranes respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, damage to the liver and central nervous system.
A particularly dangerous viral disease. Rabies affects dogs, other warm-blooded animals, and humans. It occurs acutely with damage to the central nervous system and usually ends in the death of the animal.
Vaccination of dogs helps curb epidemics, maintains health and increases the life expectancy of four-legged pets.
8-9 weeks | From canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, leptospirosis. |
Revaccination against canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, rabies. |
|
After changing teeth | Vaccination against canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, rabies. |
Annually | Revaccination (canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, rabies). |
Important vaccination rules:
- If puppies have not received their mother's colostrum, they need early immunization;
- The DHLPP vaccine is recommended for female dogs before breeding;
- A pregnant bitch should not be vaccinated without consulting a veterinarian;
- Dogs are vaccinated once a year. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations and vaccine instructions.
Infectious diseases of dogs are often found in domestic animals and can harm the health of the pet. Timely vaccination will help you avoid infecting your pet dangerous diseases, many of which can be fatal to a dog. By vaccinating according to this schedule, you will provide the necessary protection to your pet.
Invasive diseases of dogs: main symptoms of infection
Helminthiasis.
Determining if your dog is infected with worms
Some worms in dogs are dangerous to humans. Most often, children who spend a lot of time with their pet become infected from a sick dog.
- Lethargy, apathy;
- Manifestation of unmotivated aggression;
- Vomit; diarrhea alternating with constipation;
- The presence of worms, blood and mucus in the dog’s feces;
- Bloated abdomen, gurgling and rumbling in the abdomen;
- Dull, sticky fur.
Types of worms in dogs.
Treatment and prevention of helminthiases
There are two types of helminths found in dogs: nematodes (roundworms) and cestodes (tapeworms).
A large number of nematodes can cause the formation of a lump of worms in the puppy’s intestines, causing blockage and death of the pet. Pneumonia is also possible as a result of the migration of larvae through the lungs.
Prevention of infection with worms is mandatory for female dogs before mating, since the larvae of some roundworms can be transmitted to puppies in the womb. It can be especially difficult to cure children from nematodes (toxocar and toxascarid). A dog infected with worms will produce less strong and active puppies than a healthy one.
The disease is diagnosed when eggs and segments of cestodes are found in the dog's feces.
For effective treatment of dog diseases and prevention of worm infection
Many breeders, kennel owners and dog owners for effective prevention and treating their pets from infection with round and tapeworms, use the drug wide range actions of Prazitel.
Is your pet over 6 years old?
This means that he has entered a special period of life. Your pet still needs prevention of helminth infection as before. However, due to age-related changes, which have already begun in his body, it is necessary to completely reconsider the approach to protection against worms.
A new unique drug Prazitel Special has been developed especially for animals over 6 years of age.
Use Prazitel Special. This will ensure careful protection of the pet, which is in a special period of life, from helminths.
Fleas are a small source of big trouble
A dog infestation with fleas is a skin disease accompanied by severe itching. Fleas bite your pet, which causes it to itch and scratch the skin on the back, around the tail, and behind the ears.
The consequences of flea infestation are:
- Scratching into which germs and bacteria enter, causing dermatitis and allergies. Allergic dermatitis flea bites manifest as a rash at the base of the tail, on the hind legs and thighs. Itching and scratching continue even after the fleas are killed;
- Infection cucumber tapeworm. When dogs bite itchy areas, they swallow fleas that contain helminth eggs.
- Particularly dangerous for humans is infection of a pet with echinococcosis, which is transmitted through direct human contact with animal fur.
Any tick can be a carrier of diseases:
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever;
- Canine babesiosis;
- Canine ehrlichiosis;
- Hepatozoonosis;
- Tularemia;
- Lyme diseases and others.
Some ticks produce a toxin that can cause paralysis in your dog.
Pruritic scabies (sarcoptosis)
Sarcoptic mange is caused by microscopic spider mites that cause severe itching in dogs. Female mites penetrate several millimeters under the skin to lay eggs, which is what causes intense itching in the animal.
For more later stages This disease in a dog, as a result of rubbing and scratching the itchy places from bites, the skin bursts and tissue fluid appears. Crusts, scabs and even shreds of fallen fur are noticeable. The final stage of the disease manifests itself in thickening and darkening of the animal’s skin.
- Roundworms (and heartworm larvae);
- Tapeworms.
Have you read the article but still have questions? Ask them in the comments to this publication. A specialist from NPK SKiFF will certainly answer them.
If a dog constantly itches or even tries to bite something out of its fur, then it clearly has fleas - one of the dog’s main enemies.
Fleas are quite difficult to remove. The reason is that just one individual can lay about 20-30 thousand eggs in a month. Fortunately, there are many ways to rid your dog of fleas.
The first signs of fleas should be looked for not even on the dog, but right under your feet. All you have to do is walk on the carpet at home in white socks, and then look at the soles. If there are small black “pellets” that turn the water brown or red, then your dog needs help. These lumps are flea waste mixed with blood.
Fleas are destroyed using medications.
Ticks
There are three known types of ticks that are dangerous to dogs: ixodid ticks (also known as tick ticks), scabies ticks and ear ticks.
The first ones bite into the skin and drink the dog's blood. This would not be too dangerous if ixodid ticks were not carriers of a large number of diseases, some of which affect humans too. Therefore, no symptoms may appear immediately after the bite. You just need to carefully examine both yourself and your dog after a walk for ticks.
The latter also bite into the skin, but do not drink blood, but lay eggs, causing severe itching and irritation. They can be transmitted to people too.
Third on for a long time settle in the ears, causing itching and irritation. This variety is one of the most persistent, but products such as special drops and ointments get rid of these mites.
Lice and lice eaters
Lice eaters feed on the fluff and scales of a dog's skin, while lice feed on lymph and blood. The females of both species lay their eggs directly on the dog's fur.
Infection can occur either through contact with a sick animal or while walking. Sometimes lice and lice eggs can be brought home by the dog's owner.
Curing your dog of lice and lice is quite simple. After treatment with a special compound or shampoo, you need to let the animal dry, and then comb the dog with a metal comb. This will remove any paralyzed or dead insects. The carpet, bedding and other things that the infected animal has come into contact with must be thoroughly cleaned or washed.
Roundworms
A characteristic feature Infection with roundworms results in stool upset, vomiting, and refusal to feed. In some cases, even intestinal blockage occurs.
Heartworms
Symptoms of the presence of heartworms are cough, swelling of the paws, shortness of breath, wheezing, sleep and appetite disturbances, and severe general exhaustion.
A dog can become infected by the bite of an ordinary mosquito.
Symptoms of infection include increased heart rate and breathing, shortness of breath, fever up to 40-41 degrees, complete refusal to eat, depression, redness of the eyes and oral cavity, vomiting, upset stool (sometimes even with blood), dark urine. Cases of sudden death are rare.
