Intestinal Parasites In Dogs

Of all the ailments that our little four-legged friend may suffer, one of the most delicate is intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasites in dogs are worms whose damage can be so severe that they often lead to death.

Although this disease is usually much more dangerous when it occurs in puppies, adult dogs can also be seriously affected by them. If you didn’t know about these risks, below we’ll explain everything you need to know.

Types of Intestinal Parasites in Dogs

Of all the parasites that infect dogs, there are 7 that are the main ones. They are as follows:

Ancylostoma

It is one of the most common among intestinal parasites in dogs, it arises after the animal consumes different types of larvae or parasite eggs. They remain alive after being expelled by an animal that has already been infected.

Hookworms are microscopic and subsist in the small intestine. They also often cause diarrhea and terrible anemia in dogs, especially when they are puppies a few months old.

toxocara kennels

Author: Christine und David Schmitt

They tend to infect almost exclusively lactating females and puppies a few months old. This is due to the fact that the larvae activate during the gestation period.

The symptoms of this type of intestinal parasite in dogs are as follows:

• Weakness
• growth delay
• Cough
• Abdominal pain
• Pneumonia
• Total blockage of the digestive system
• Diarrhea

It is important to note that these parasites are like a small pink-white noodles. They can reach 15 centimeters.

Toxacaris leonine

They look almost identical to the previous one, with the difference that these are completely white and their structure is round. They are dangerous and harmful parasites.

The symptoms that infected dogs present are the following:

• Diarrhea
• vomiting
• Cough
• Weakness
• Convulsions

As we can see, this worm is very similar to Toxacaris canis.

Trichuris Vulpis

Known by many veterinarians as trichocephali, these parasites inhabit the blind (large) intestine of dogs and can measure up to 7 centimeters in length.

The most peculiar characteristic of Trichuris vulpis is that the dogs that host them do not usually present any type of symptomatology. However, from time to time, it usually causes irritation in the anus, which causes the dog to drag this part of its body along the floor to relieve the itching.

Uncinaria stenocephala

It is another species of hookworm, with the difference that this parasite is round, can reach two centimeters in length and inhabits the small intestine.

As soon as it invades the dog’s skin, it can cause acute dermatitis, especially between the fingers. Also, it can cause cysts between the dog’s little fingers.

The greatest similarity with the previous cases is that it also causes severe anemia and diarrhea in the infected animal.

Dipylidium caninum

Known by almost everyone as solitary , this is a parasite whose structure is characterized by being flat and by being able to reach 305 centimeters in length.

The most common symptoms of Dipylidium caninum are:

• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Puppies growth delay of a few months

This parasite lives in the dog’s small intestine and is rarely seen fully. The dog usually expels it in pieces through its feces, presenting a dry appearance, like small grains of rice.

Echinococcus granulosus

Unlike solitary, this is one of the smallest intestinal parasites that exist, as its maximum length reaches only 9 millimeters.

This worm is characterized by being flat and inhabiting the small intestine of the infected animal. In general, Echinococcu granulosus causes diarrhea, hydatid cysts and loss of physical condition.

Importantly, this parasite is very common in dogs. Once the veterinarian has detected it, the only solution will be to remove it completely.

For this, it is highly recommended the periodic consumption of anthelmintics, always prescribed by the veterinarian. Also, the ingestion of animal viscera, especially sheep, should be avoided.

As you can see, there are many different types of intestinal parasites that your little four-legged friend can host. As soon as you notice any symptoms you should go to the vet immediately.