Parasites are a problem for dogs, regardless of their age. But they are not only annoying for them. Some of these parasites can infest humans. Although its presence in healthy adult dogs may go unnoticed, parasites in puppies, as they have a lower defense capacity, do cause symptoms. Hence the importance of maintaining a correct deforming calendar, as we will see in this article.
If you just adopted a puppy and want to know more about this topic, stay with us by reading this article on parasites in puppies, symptoms and treatment.
Types of parasites in puppies
Puppies can be infested with different types of parasites. There are external ones, like fleas or ticks, and internal ones, that is, they live inside the body.
Internal parasites in puppies
These can lodge in the heart, lungs, or intestines. In this article, we will focus on the latter as they are the most common and against which deforming treatments are started early and in a generic way.
In intestinal parasites, we distinguish between roundworms or nematodes, such as Toxocara canis or hookworms, and flatworms or tapeworms, such as tapeworms or echinococci. There are also protozoa such as giardia or coccidia that invade the intestines. Roundworms are the most common in puppies.
External parasites in puppies
Against external parasites it is also possible to deform puppies, following the advice of the veterinarian. Depending on the vital circumstances of each dog, this professional will prescribe other deforming against heart or lung parasites.
Parasites in newborn puppies
Newborn puppies can be infested through their mother, hence the importance of deforming all adult dogs and, especially, pregnant females, always following the veterinarian’s instructions to ensure that the chosen product is not harmful. . The hormones that come into play during gestation activate the larvae that could be found in the female’s tissues. This causes them to migrate and end up in the uterus, the mammary glands, the fetuses themselves, or the intestine.
Parasites in 1-month-old puppies
Toxocara canis is the worm that usually infests pregnant dogs and their puppies. From the mother they reach the little ones, they develop and reach maturity when they are two weeks old. Thus, when the puppies start solid feeding, we can already find parasites in one-month-old puppies. That is why it is recommended to start the deforming protocol at fifteen days, since, as we have seen, it is the age at which the parasites mature.
Parasites in 2-month-old puppies
But a single dose is not enough to keep them clean, so, even if we deform them this first time, it is possible to find parasites in two-month-old puppies, which is the age at which vaccination begins. That is why the vet will always deform before vaccinating.
We insist that some of these parasites can be transmitted to humans. Hence the importance of deforming and hygiene. Extreme precautions must be taken if children live in the home, as they tend to be less careful with cleaning.
Symptoms of parasites in puppies
Parasitic diarrhea in puppies is usually the most common symptom, but there may be other symptoms as well. Here are the most common symptoms of parasites in puppies:
- Vomiting
- Worms, like noodles, both in feces and vomit.
However, not seeing the worms does not mean that the puppy is deformed. On the other hand, the cycle of intestinal parasites like Toxocara includes migration to the lungs, at which point the infested puppy may experience respiratory symptoms such as coughing and even pneumonia. Sometimes a kind of rice grains are seen around the anus. They indicate the presence of flatworms.
Other symptoms of parasites in puppies
Other symptoms that should alert us are:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Stunted growth.
- Bad appearance of the coat.
- Anemia
- Swollen belly
A severe infestation in a puppy can be fatal. That’s why you have to go to the vet and take deforming seriously.
How to eliminate parasites in puppies? Treatment
There are a number of medications for parasites in puppies for sale. It will be the veterinarian who, depending on the needs of our dog, prescribe the most appropriate drug. It is intended to be broad spectrum, which means that it is effective against several species of parasites at the same time. To make sure it works, it is important to weigh the dog first. In this way, we establish the correct dose.
As we have seen, deforming should begin at fifteen days of life and it is recommended to repeat every two weeks until the puppy reaches three months of age.
Home remedies for parasites in puppies
As for home remedies for parasites in puppies, although garlic and other natural products are often talked about, the truth is that we should never give our dog anything without a veterinarian’s prescription. An excessive dose can poison the puppy. In addition, internal deforming has to begin at two weeks of age, when the little ones only ingest breast milk and are not yet trained for solids.
This article is merely informative, we do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the vet in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.
