Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs: Small Size, Big Danger

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs: Small Size, Big Danger
Gastrointestinal parasite infections in dogs are most commonly found in puppies, typically between 1 week to 3 months of age. The most frequently found parasites include roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and liver flukes. The symptoms vary depending on the type of parasite, as follows:

Roundworms: Infection occurs directly through ingesting parasite eggs into the digestive tract, or it can be transmitted from mother to puppy. In mother-to-pup transmission, roundworms spread through the bloodstream to the lungs, where they can be coughed up and swallowed back into the digestive tract. Symptoms range from lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss, to pneumonia in some cases. Adult worms are visible to the naked eye, live unattached in the intestines, and are excreted with feces.
Whipworms: Smaller than roundworms, transmission occurs through ingesting larvae or through larvae penetrating the skin. This parasite causes bleeding ulcers in the intestinal wall, leading to bloody and mucousy stools, weight loss, and subsequent anemia.
Tapeworms: Long and flat in appearance, they separate into segments resembling grains of rice, which are often seen mixed with feces. Transmission is through ingestion. They cause diarrhea, indigestion, lethargy, weakness, and itching around the anus, skin, and back. Puppies may exhibit a "scooting" behavior (dragging their bottoms on the floor).
Flukes: These can spread to various organs and cause different diseases. Intestinal flukes, if present in large numbers, can cause enteritis (intestinal inflammation). However, if they infect the liver, they usually migrate to the gallbladder and bile ducts, causing cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation), blockages, hepatitis, elevated liver enzymes, lethargy, and weakness.
Today's Case Study Moo-yong, a 2-month-old puppy, presented with diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. Testing for canine viral enteritis (parvovirus) came back negative. Blood tests revealed severe anemia and hepatitis with high liver enzyme levels. A fecal examination showed parasite eggs, and a large number of adult roundworms were also excreted in the feces. After receiving deworming treatment along with supportive care consisting of fluid therapy and energy supplements, the diarrhea improved. Moo-yong regained the strength to eat and stopped vomiting, but requires ongoing treatment for anemia and hepatitis.

Prevention and Care Puppies can begin a health check-up and deworming program as early as 2 weeks of age. They should be dewormed repeatedly every 2-3 weeks until they are 12 weeks old. After that, deworming should be considered every 3-6 months, depending on their risk of parasite infection.

Article by: Dr. Punyaporn Kruawangmon, DVM