Dog Parasites - Learning More About Dog Parasites

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Phoenix Mobile Veterinarians

How old does my dog need to be to start parasite prevention?

On your first visit with your veterinarian, you're going to be speaking about parasite prevention. Typically, that's going to be about six to eight weeks old, and that's actually when we can start.

Dr. Mark Caldwell
Phoenix Mobile Veterinarians

What are intestinal parasites and how do I get rid of them in my dog?

Intestinal parasites are organisms that live inside the guts of your dog. Now, as far as getting rid of them, there are several different ways that a veterinarian can do that. However, it's crucial that we first test to see exactly what you have so we can accurately target them.

What are external parasites and what can I do to prevent them?

External parasites live on the skin of the dog. These typically include fleas, ticks, lice, and similar pests. If you see these or if they're found during an exam, you should speak with your veterinarian so we can provide medication to specifically treat them.

How soon should I bring my dog into the veterinarian if I suspect they may have parasites?

If you suspect parasites, I recommend getting to your veterinarian as soon as possible. This is important for the health of your animal and also your health, as some parasites can spread to people as well.

How will a veterinarian diagnose parasites in my dog?

There are a couple of different ways. For internal parasites, the best method is usually by doing a fecal sample. By collecting a fresh fecal sample, just enough to cover the surface of a nickel, we can send it to the lab and get results to see exactly what they have. Depending on the findings, we provide a specific treatment. For external parasites, these can usually be seen during the exam itself, such as fleas or ticks. Regardless, we have medications to specifically treat these.

Is ringworm a parasite?

No, it's not. Ringworm is actually a fungus. Despite its name, which sounds like a parasite, it forms a little ring on the skin.

Why is early detection and diagnosis of parasites so important?

The earlier we can diagnose and treat a parasite, the better chances we have of giving your dog a long and healthy life. Parasites feed off the dog to survive, so getting rid of them will reduce stress on your dog's body, decrease the potential for environmental spread, and reduce the risk of spreading to people.

If you have any other questions, please give us a call at (480) 233-7276. You can also email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we are able. Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram

Dog Parasites - FAQs 1

Dr. Mark Caldwell
Phoenix Mobile Veterinarians

What are the treatments for dog parasites?

Well, it really just depends on the parasite that you have. Now, if it's an internal or an external parasite, there's going to be different options, but even amongst those two categories, different bugs actually require different medications, so it really just depends on which one you have.

If one pet has parasites, do all pets in the home need to receive treatment?

So that's actually a great question. The answer is sometimes, but not always. Now, there are certain parasites that are very easily transmitted between the same species, so dogs can spread to other dogs. However, there's also certain parasites that will go from dog to dog, but also dog to cat. So if there is ever a concern about parasites, or if your dog or cat ever gets treated or tested for parasites, then we always recommend testing the other animals in the home as well to see if they need treatment too.

Can I get parasites from my dog?

Absolutely. People can actually get a lot of the parasites that dogs have.

Is there prevention for dog parasites?

Absolutely. Now, once again, it depends on the type of parasite, and the conversation that you have with you and your veterinarian can accurately get you that information.

Are parasitic infections serious, or will they go away on their own?

Parasitic infections can be serious. Now, they can also go the whole spectrum from very mild, and you didn't even know your dog had a parasite, but they can be very, very severe to where your dog is actually has a nutritional deficit because of that parasite. We always recommend annual fecal screening, even if your dog looks great, just to make sure we don't have anything. However, if your dog does break with diarrhea or has an upset stomach, then we always recommend a fecal testing right away just to make sure they don't have anything.

Can I use natural or over-the-counter treatments for my dog?

There are a few natural and over-the-counter treatments, but we don't really recommend them because they haven't been proven to really work. If your dog does need parasite medication, we always recommend getting it through a veterinarian or a licensed pharmacy.

What can I do at home to treat or prevent parasite infestations?

Well, once again, it really just depends on the type of parasite, but really going back to basics is going to be important, making sure that they don't eat things that they're not supposed to. If they go to dog parks and they eat poop, try to avoid that as best as possible. If they go to the bathroom, make sure you clean it up as fast as possible as well. If you have any other questions, give us a call at Phoenix Mobile Veterinarians.