What Are Signs of Parasites in Dogs?

As dog owners, we all hope that our furry friends can grow up healthily and happily. However, dogs are very likely to be invaded by parasites in their daily lives. These tiny parasites can pose a serious threat to the health of dogs. Understanding the signs of parasite infection in dogs is the first step for us as owners to protect them.

There are many types of common parasites in dogs, and different types of parasites can cause different symptoms.

Intestinal parasites are a very common type of parasite in dogs, such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, etc. When a dog is infected with roundworms, it may experience abdominal distension. Its belly looks round, as if it has overeaten, but in fact, the roundworms are multiplying in large numbers in the intestines and taking up space. Moreover, the growth and development of dogs infected with roundworms will be affected. They may be thinner and smaller than healthy dogs of the same age, and their hair becomes rough and dull, as if they have lost their former vitality. This is because roundworms will rob the nutrients that dogs ingest, making it impossible for dogs to obtain enough nutrients to maintain normal growth and physical functions.

In dogs infected with tapeworms, white small segments like rice grains can often be seen around the anus or in the feces. These are the segments of tapeworms. Dogs may also frequently lick their anus or rub their buttocks on the ground due to anal itching. It's really heart - wrenching for owners to see their dogs suffering like this. Hookworm infection can cause anemia in dogs. Their mucous membranes become pale. For example, areas such as the gums and eyelids are no longer a healthy pink color but a pale white. Dogs also become listless and inactive. They used to be lively and active, but now they always lie lazily in the corner and show no interest in anything. This is because hookworms suck the blood in the dog's intestines, causing chronic blood loss and then triggering anemia.

In addition to intestinal parasites, dogs may also be infected with external parasites, such as fleas and ticks. Flea infestation is easy to detect. When there are fleas on a dog, it will constantly scratch and bite its body, trying to get rid of these annoying little insects. If you observe carefully, you can see small black particles in the dog's hair. These are the feces of fleas. And when you part the hair, you may also see the fast - moving figures of fleas. Fleas not only make the dog's skin itchy but may also trigger allergic dermatitis, causing symptoms such as red spots and hair loss on the dog's skin, seriously affecting the dog's skin health and quality of life.

Ticks are also common external parasites in dogs. They like to attach to areas with thin skin on dogs, such as the ears, neck, and abdomen. When you find ticks on a dog, you can see small black or brown bumps tightly attached to the skin. These are the ticks. Ticks suck the dog's blood, and during the blood - sucking process, they may also transmit various diseases, such as Lyme disease and babesiosis. These diseases are extremely harmful to the health of dogs and may even be life - threatening.

Heartworms are also a type of parasite that is extremely harmful to the health of dogs. They are mainly transmitted through mosquitoes. Dogs infected with heartworms may not show obvious symptoms in the initial stage. However, as the disease progresses, the dogs will start to cough. At first, they may just cough a few times occasionally, which is very easy to be ignored by the owner. But gradually, the cough becomes more frequent, especially after exercise or when excited. The dogs will also experience breathing difficulties, with rapid breathing and heavy panting, as if they can't catch their breath. Moreover, the dog's exercise tolerance will decrease significantly. They used to like running and playing, but now they get tired easily even with a little activity. In severe cases, ascites may occur, and the abdomen becomes obviously swollen. Heartworms parasitize in the heart and pulmonary blood vessels of dogs, seriously affecting the cardiopulmonary function and leading to a gradual decline in the dog's physical function.

As dog owners, we should always pay attention to the physical condition of our dogs. Once we find that our dogs have the above - mentioned symptoms, we must take them to the pet hospital for examination and treatment in time. Regular internal and external deworming of dogs is the key to preventing parasite infections. Just as we regularly clean our homes, we should create a healthy living environment for our dogs, keep them away from the troubles of parasites, and let them happily accompany us through every wonderful moment.