The Dog Spot
Dog Itching Parasites Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Dog Itching Parasites. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Dog Tapeworms
from: Kyle BesserTapeworms are made up of tiny segments that look like grains of rice. Each of these segments may contain eggs. Tapeworms cause severe itching and discomfort on dogs around the anus. Tapeworm segments can be seen clearly in the feces.
There are two types of tapeworms. One type, Dipylidium Caninum, can only affect dogs. The other type of tapeworm can affect humans and cause an illness called the Hydatid Disease.
Dipylidium Caninum is transmitted by fleas. This cucumber shaped organism is the most common type of tapeworm that affects dogs. The flea larva ingest rounded tapeworm segments filled with eggs or sometimes the actual egg themselves. Once the flea matures, it hops onto a dog. A dog can ingest tapeworms by inadvertently eating the fleas in which the tapeworm larvae have developed.
As the flea passes through the dog's digestive system, the tapeworm eggs attach to the intestine, where they eventually hatch and mature. The mature segments that are filled with eggs pass out of the dog's anus. The segments, while moist, can move around for a while. The eggs that are contained in the new segments are then eaten by fleas and begin a new cycle.
Tapeworms can grow to up to two feet in length inside a dog's body. Luckily, humans do not get this form of tapeworm from dogs. This parasite is very hard to treat fully because the head tends to separate form the body and remains attached to the intestinal wall.
When tapeworms or the segments leave your dog's body, they are likely to attach themselves outside around the anus. This causes severe itch which leaves your dog scratching itself for relief.
In addition, your dog tends to stop gaining weight and may even lose a few pounds because he is inadvertently sharing his food with the tapeworms. The stool will visibly reveal the presence of tapeworms in the form of tiny white grains which move about by forming a sort of "point" on one end.
You will need to see your vet to treat this type of tapeworm. Deworming agents that are used for treatment are very potent and have used with extreme care. Furthermore, you need to take steps to treat your house to get rid of fleas that carry tapeworm eggs. If you don't get rid of the fleas, the dog will become infested again.
Children can get tapeworms either by accidentally swallowing fleas while petting an infected dog or by being licked on the mouth by a dog with a flea on its tongue. It is very important to have your children wash their hands after petting a dog. Teach your children to never put their hands in their mouths before washing after they have touched a dog.
Dog-Parasites Online News
No relevant info was found on this topic.