Intestinal parasites, or worms, can be a plague to both dogs and cats.

Most pets will harbor worms at some point in their lifetime. Puppies and kittens have a high incidence of intestinal parasites, and most receive worming treatment as part of their routine care. Roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are the most common culprits who can cause these infections.

Roundworms tend to be the most common intestinal parasite infecting dogs. Cats can get roundworms too, but it is not as common. Roundworms are spread when animals eat feces or soil contaminated with roundworm eggs.

Female dogs can also infect their puppies through the placenta. Roundworms in turn are spread to kittens through their mother's milk. Adult roundworms set up shop in the intestine and live off your pets ingested food. They can multiply rapidly, one single female can lay up to 200,000 eggs per day which means just a few eggs can lead to a large infestation.

Diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration, are commonly seen in cats and dogs with roundworms. Infected puppies have a distinct potbelly appearance. Adults are not usually seriously affected by roundworms. Puppies and kittens can become quite sick and they are more sensitive to dehydration.

Spring and Summer with the warm temperatures they bring are ideal for roundworm eggs to become actively infectious. Roundworm eggs are very hardy and are resistant to environmental changes, they can remain alive outside for many years. There are no chemicals available that effectively kill the, although a live flame will kill roundworm eggs.

Hookworms are also a problem for dogs and cats. These worms hook themselves to the intestinal wall and feed on blood. They are acquired by adults through skin penetration and ingestion of larvae. Puppies and kittens can be infected through the placenta and milk. Blood loss is the worst consequence of hookworms. Severe anemia, a decrease in red blood cells can be the result of extensive blood loss.

Hookworms will feed at several sites within the intestine. They then release an anti coagulant so clotting will not occur. The feeding sites then continue to bleed after the worm has moved on, the result of this is a black, tarry stool. Bacteria can then invade the body through these open wounds and cause infection.

Whipworms are also a problem in the canine world, but cats will not be infected. Whipworm eggs are tough organisms. They can survive adverse environmental conditions and are extremely resistant to drying. Adults whipworms will live in the large intestine and eat blood meals by attaching itself to the intestinal lining. The worms are then passed in the feces. They can cause inflammation, anemia, and weight loss. Whipworms are a common cause of bloody diarrhea in dogs.

Your Veterinarian can diagnose worms by taking a fecal sample and identifying any eggs found there. You should consult with your veterinarian on how often your dog or cats feces should be screened for worms.

Their is good news..... is it is easy to get rid of worms with medication. Your veterinarian has de-wormers that should clear up the problem in a few weeks. Re-checking the feces is important to make sure all worms have been eliminated. To prevent or control intestinal parasites, consult your veterinarian.

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