5 Common Intestinal Parasites | Hudson Veterinary Hospital - Ossining, New York
Bringing a stool sample to your vet may not be the most pleasant part of being a pet owner, but it’s definitely not something you can avoid. A number of intestinal parasites can be easily diagnosed via stool sample, and since many of these parasites can cause your pet serious distress, cleaning out the litter box is a small price to pay.
Here are just a few of the more common intestinal parasites found in dogs and cats:
1. Tapeworms
Tapeworms aren’t fatal, but they can give your pet an upset stomach. Pets get them by eating fleas, rabbits, and rodents that have been infected.
2. Physaloptera
Unlike most other intestinal parasites, physaloptera actually remain in the stomach after the pet has ingested parasite’s original host. Because of the location of physoloptera, it’s generally not diagnosable by stool sample; instead, your veterinarian will suspect it if your pet vomits on a regular basis. Host organisms include insects like crickets and cockroaches, as well as their predators.
3. Roundworm
Your pet can get roundworm from virtually anywhere, including infected soil, mother’s milk, and by ingesting other animals or insects that have already been infected. Roundworm can kill your pet by blocking its intestines or causing pneumonia. It can also be passed to humans.
4. Whipworms
Whipworms are generally a canine-only affliction, although cats can contract them in rare cases. Whipworms cause chronic gastrointestinal upset and weight loss.
5. Hookworms
Hookworms are especially dangerous to the very young and the very sick. They cause serious gastrointestinal problems and anemia, both of which are potentially deadly. =
Hudson Veterinary Hospital is staffed by capable veterinarians who can diagnose and treat your pet for any of these parasites. Our animal hospital also offers pet grooming, low-cost spaying and neutering, and prescription dog and cat food. For more information, call (914) 502-2523 today.
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