Dogs Parasites Articles

While parasites are a common occurrence in dogs, they can be quite unpleasant (or even deadly) depending on the type. If left untreated, dog parasites can multiply, wreaking havoc on your dog's system. Parasites can live in any number of places within your dog’s body. Most parasites live in a dog's intestines, while others can be found in a dog's heart and in the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs. Other susceptible areas include your dog's coat and ears. Learn more about the different types of dog parasites, what organs are affected, symptoms to look for, best prevention tips and some of the most effective treatment options.

• What Is the Best Home Remedy for Dog Mange?

  Many dogs experience an episode of mange in their lifetimes, and pet owners often search for an adequate home remedy for dog mange. While it's possible to use home remedies to prevent the infestation of mange mites, and to partially alleviate the symptoms of mange in your pet, home remedies are rarely as effective as a veterinarian-prescribed treatment.

• Treatment Options for Parasite-Induced Dog Skin Irritation

  Dog skin irritation can be caused by allergies, thyroid issues, parasites, a weak immune system, stress or bacterial infections. Parasite-induced dog skin irritations are fully treatable, once the parasites are gone.

• Treating Flea Bites on Dogs With Hydrocortisone

  Hydrocortisone is a steroid with anti-inflammatory and antipruritic properties. It that can be used as a topical ointment or medication to treat flea bites.

• Treating Dog Ear Mites with Tresaderm

  Tresaderm is used to treat parasites such as dog ear mites or worms as well as yeast dog ear infections. Tresaderm can only be obtained by prescription from a veterinarian and can be used as an effective dog ear infection treatment.

• Treating Coccidia in Dogs with Albon (Sulfadimethoxine)

  Coccidia, or coccidiosis, in dogs is often treated with a drug called Albon. This protozal infection is the most prevalent and opportunistic intestinal disease in North America.

• Treating Canine Parasites with Fenbendazole for Dogs

  Fenbendazole is an effective treatment for eliminating a variety of parasites in your dog’s system. Also known by the brand names Panacur and Safe-Guard, fenbendazole eliminates intestinal parasites including roundworms, hookworms, some tapeworms, whipworms and giardia.

• The Myth of Head Lice in Dogs

  School children and those in daycares often come home with head lice, dogs cannot. Head lice feed on the blood of humans, no other species will do.

• Symptoms of Tick Borne Diseases

  There are four major tick borne diseases that have an extensive list of associated symptoms of tick disease. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease are probably the most well known, but the list of tick diseases also includes Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis.

• Symptoms of Giardia in Dogs

  Giardia in dogs is a small one celled organism that may cause the disease known as giardiasis. There are several species of giardia parasites and the cysts from these parasites infect dogs and lodge in the dog’s intestine, causing diarrhea.

• Symptoms of Coccidia in Dogs

  One-celled protozoa called coccidia invade your dog’s intestines, causing coccidiosis, resulting in symptoms that may be mild to life-threatening. Opportunistic, internal parasites, coccidia thrive primarily in young puppies weakened by other infections and living in an unsanitary or stressful environment.

• Raw Meat Diet in Dogs - not recommended

  If the raw food diet is well balanced and does not contain excessive protein, excessive calcium and/or phosphorous, there should be no differences in the blood chemistry values. Many people feeding raw food diets are feeding a higher protein concentration than is found in other diets and this may cause increases in the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine values.

• Puppy Mange: An Overview

  What is Puppy Mange? Puppy mange is a term often used for a certain type of canine mange that is most common in young puppies-- also known as red mange, follicular mange, or demodectic mange.

• Puppy Mange Treatment with ProMeris

  Puppy mange is a skin condition that’s also known as red mange or demodectic mange. Although there are three different types of mange infections, puppies are affected by mange caused by the demodex canis mite.

• Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs

  Preventing Lyme disease in dogs is important for your dog's long-term health. As with any parasite, helping your dog to avoid coming into contact with a tick that may or may not be carrying Lyme disease is the best way to prevent the disease in the first place, however, sometimes simply avoiding possible exposure is not enough.

• Popular Treatments for Dog Ear Infections

  Two types of dog ear infections are very common in most dogs, although certain breeds may be more susceptible than others. There are various treatment options available for ear infections.

• Photo Gallery - Skin - Sarcoptic Mange

  Also called scabies, this mange mite is transmitted by direct contact and is contagious to other dogs.

• Photo Gallery - Heartworm Disease

  Ascites is a fluid build up in the abdomen seen in late stages of Heartworm Disease. 

• Parasitic Worms in Dogs

  It is unusual for a dog that is over a year of age to have persistant roundworm infestation. Roundworms can encyst in body tissues and then be stimulated to start a new migration to the digestive tract.

• Parasites: The #1 Cause of Puppy Vomiting

  Most puppies are born with microscopically small roundworm larvae and unfortunately, these pests can cause everything from puppy vomiting to fatigue if left untreated.

• Parasites - Tapeworms

  There are several types of tapeworms that can affect dogs and cats. The method of transmission varies some between the species. The most common tapeworm is Dipylidium caninum. This tapeworm's life cycle starts as an egg passed in the dog or cat's feces.

• Parasites - Ringworm

  I don't think of ringworm as highly contagious but it definitely is contagious. It will sometimes infect family members. It is most commonly picked up from the environment. Cats can be carriers of ringworm and show no clinical signs so they have to be considered as a source if you also have cats and this does turn out to be ringworm.

• Natural Mange Treatment for Dogs

  Mange treatment depends on the type of mange infection present in dogs. Canines are susceptible to skin conditions due to fleas, ticks and mite infestations.

• Mange Mites - Demodex Treatment

  There are three treatments for demodectic mange that work for most dogs. The first is the use of amitraz pour on (Mitaban Rx) every other week for 6 to 8 applications or until 2 consecutive skin scrapings are negative, which probably cures demodectic mange in about 80% of dogs when application directions are followed,

• Mange Mites - Demodex

  In this situation it is important to try to look for an underlying cause for the demodecosis. Most dogs with immune system disorders that allow demodecosis to occur develop it at a younger age, usually less than one year of age. In dogs in which demodecosis occurs later, there is often something causing significant compromise of the immune system.

• Heartworm Treatment: A Necessary Risk for Your Pet

  The two options available for heartworm treatment are Carparsolate and Immiticide. The later being the most popular amongst veterinarians, pet owners, and pets alike.

• Heartworm Medicine: Understanding the Types, Benefits, and Side Effects

  Heartworm disease can be treated effectively with a number of different types of heartworm medicine that are readily available through your vet.

• Heartworm Disease

  Heartworms live in the right side of the heart and the large arteries running from the heart to the lungs (the pulmonary arteries).

• Giardia in Dogs

  Giardia in dogs is less common than in cats, however canines may also be affected by this parasite. Most dogs that are affected by Giardia don’t display symptoms but are carriers of the parasite; puppies, elderly dogs or dogs with a weaker immune system will develop symptoms.

• Giardia

  Giardia is a protozoan parasite that lives in the intestine of affected animals. It is unclear whether there are several species of this parasite or whether there is one species that affect several different animals, including people.

• Ear Mites in Dogs: What They are and What you can do About Them

  Canine ear mites are tiny. Ear mites in dogs can sometimes live on other parts of a dog's body, but are referred to as canine ear mites because they usually live inside the ears. Treatment is fairly simple.

• Ear Mites in Dogs

  Ear mites in dogs are a very contagious parasite of the ear canal. They can be passed to cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils and other household pets.

• Ear Mites in dogs

• Dog Tick Control with Fipronil

  Fipronil, a drug used in flea and tick control products and other insecticides, is an anti-parasitic agent that works by disrupting the central nervous system of insects. The insect's brain and spinal cord are attacked by this chemical, ultimately leading to rapid death.

• Dog Parasites: How to detect, prevent, and treat canine parasites

  At any given time, your dog can be infected with any number of parasitic worms such as the half-inch-long hookworm, tapeworm, or heartworm. Early detection of these dog parasites is easy to perform.

• Dog Parasites and Parasite transmitted Disease

  There are now several “once a month” flea control medications for pets. Lufenuron (Program - tm), makes control of preadult fleas easier than it has been in the past. This medication is approved for both dogs and cats. 

• Dog Mange Treatment with Interceptor

  Canine mange is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition caused by microscopic mites that infest your dog's skin. Finding an adequate dog mange treatment depends on the type of mite and the severity of the condition.

• Dog Lice Treatment With Pyrethrin-Based Shampoos

  Dog lice treatment with pyrethrin-based shampoo is a very simple to way to treat your dog's lice.

• Dog Lice Treatment with Fibronil

  Dog lice are parasites that can be treated with the insecticide fipronil, which is also known under the brand name Termidor and is an active ingredient in the topical medication Frontline. Lice are one of the easiest parasites to treat and many products like Frontline that are mainly used to treat fleas are also very effective in killing and preventing lice.

• Dog Lice Inspection: An Owner’s Guide

  You can inspect your dog very carefully to find lice on his skin without worry since lice do not jump around like fleas.

• Dog Heartworm: What Is It and Why Should I Prevent It?

  Dog heartworm is a parasitic roundworm spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms can affect cats and other animals as well as dogs. These parasites are referred to as heartworms because they infest the right atrium of their hosts heart when they become adults and enter the reproductive stage of their life cycle.

• Dog Fleas: Signs, Symptoms, Dangers and Prevention

  Dog fleas are one of the most irritating aspects of dog ownership. Dog fleas not only annoy your pet, but can cause health problems. Fleas feed on your dogs blood and can cause skin irritation, allergies, anemia and even death. Fleas also carry tapeworms and diseases such as Lyme Disease.

• Diarrhea with Vomiting also Constipation

  Giardia is a protozoan parasite that lives in the intestine of affected animals. It is unclear whether there are several species of this parasite or whether there is one species that affect several different animals, including people.

• Diagnosing Parasites in Dogs

  Parasites are organisms that require the help of a host animal in order to survive. Some of the most common parasites in dogs include fleas, mites, ticks and worms. Each of these organisms comes into contact with the host and relies upon that host for shelter and sustenance. Most canine parasites feed off of the blood of the host animal.

• Diagnosing Dog Ear Mites

  Dog ear mites are parasites that will create a lot of discomfort in canines. Mites are scientifically referred to as otodectes cynotis.

• Diagnosing Coccidiosis in Dogs

  Coccidiosis is an intestinal infection caused by coccidia, which are small parasites. Coccidiosis in dogs is caused by Isospora canis, a coccidian parasite that will cause intestinal uneasiness and diarrhea.

• Diagnose and Treat Dog Ear Mites

  Ear mites, unlike most other dog parasites, feed on the skin, usually inside the ear canal. While other parasites depend upon blood to survive, or attach to internal regions like the intestines, ear mites live externally and irritate the skin by feeding off tissue debris and fluids.

• Demodectic Mange in Dogs

  Demodectic mange in dogs is a skin condition caused by microscopic mites that live inside the hair follicles. Also known as red mange, follicular mange or puppy mange, this parasitic skin infection normally appears in young puppies but can affect dogs of any age, in particular those with weakened immune systems.

• Creepies and Crawlies

  These cuties can travel back and forth between your pets. Head shaking, itching and a blackish waxy goo in the ear canals are indications that ear mites may have taken up residence in your cat or dogs ears.

• Controlling Parasites With Metronidazole for Dogs

  A viable method of controlling certain gastro-intestinal parasites is Metronidazole for dogs. This is an advanced drug commonly used to treat more difficult infections that cannot be combated with a lesser antibiotic.

• Coccidia in Dogs Explained

  Coccidia are protozoans living in your dog's intestinal tracts. Most dogs have a certain immunity to its effects; however, puppies, stressed dogs and those with their...

• Cardiovascular Disorders in Dogs

  Symptoms and treatment for cardiovascular disorders in dogs including heart disease and Heartworm disease info.

• Canine Medical Problems Indicated with Dog Feces

  Dog feces are often analyzed to detect several illnesses or diseases. The analysis determines the presence of virus, bacteria, parasites and signs of intestinal disorders.

• Canine Heartworm Treatment Through Immiticide®: Assessing the Risks

  Canine heartworm treatment is a risky business. Treatment is difficult and the complications can be severe.

• Canine Ear Infection Treatment With Zymox Otic

  If your dog is suffering from an external canine ear infection, your vet may have recommended treatment with a liquid topical medication called Zymox Otic.

• Canine Coccidia Treatment Options

  Coccidia are microscopic parasites that reside in the intestines of dogs and cats; however rodents are also carriers of these parasites. Kittens and puppies are more susceptible to being infected with the coccidia parasites.

• Blood borne Parasitic problems in dogs

  For ehrlichiosis, the most common vector is the brown dog tick. For this reason, ehrlichiosis occurs anywhere this tick occurs. At present, it has been reported in 34 states, with the northern states being spared in most instances. The southeastern and south central states are the most heavily affected.

• An Introduction to Sarcoptic Mange and Mites

  Adult sarcoptic mange mites burrow beneath the layer of a dog or puppy's skin causing hair loss, crusty scabs, rashes and persistent itching.

• Allergies in Dogs: Things You Should Know to Protect Your Dog

  Allergies in dogs can be alleviated if you are well informed about the different types of allergens, triggers, and how to get rid of them.

• A Guide to Dog Parasites

  Dog parasites pose mild to life-threatening health hazards for your dog. The common denominator in preventing parasitic infection is reducing exposure.

• 5 Strategies for Preventing Parasites in Dogs

  Parasites in dogs include fleas, worms, ticks and heartworms. While parasitic infestation is common, you can reduce the incidence of infestation by taking steps to protect your dog. Here are some ways that you can reduce and prevent parasites in dogs.

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