Endoparasites in the dog

Intestinal parasites in dogs are not only very common in puppies, but can also lead to indigestion or other organ symptoms in older dogs. They cause a variety of problems, depending on the age and immune system of the animal, but also on the type of pathogen and the number of pathogens. In addition, some endoparasites that occur in dogs pose a certain risk to humans as, in particular, some worm larvae can cause disease in humans. The spatial as well as emotionally close relationship to the dog simplifies and promotes the possible transmission to humans, if basic hygiene measures are ignored. Especially in puppies and young dogs intestinal parasites are diagnosed on a large scale. Already from the third to fifth week of life of the puppy, infections with endoparasites can lead to serious signs of disease crestor 40 mg. Thus, after the first worming, which still takes place with the breeder, a decrease in the parasite burden for the puppy can be achieved, but further regular deworming in the first 6 months of life and beyond are absolutely necessary. Puppies of dubious origin have to be called problematic (cheap imports!), In which neither the mother animals nor the puppies were dewormed before the sale. In later life, the possible Verwurmung a dog also depends on his life circumstances. Fresh meat feeding, contact with wildlife (hunted dogs) and other pets and the tendency to pick up feces, soil and other organic matter from the environment also increase the risk for adult dogs.

Invisible parasitic protozoa

Not all intestinal parasites of the dog are visible to the naked eye as worms. Many parasitic unicellular organisms are only detectable in special fecal examinations. Giardia and Coccidia are classic young dog parasites, but they do not always lead to diarrhea, weight loss and lack of appetite. In most cases, other factors such as food conversion and stress in a new environment are also responsible for the overloading of the immune system. If the new four-legged family member now has diarrhea, a fecal sample should be taken to the vet so that the pathogen can be detected and the dog can be treated with the right medication. In addition, the puppy's fur and environment must also be well cleaned, as the parasites that have passed through the diarrhea can survive in the environment for a long time. For humans, these single-celled parasites are generally not dangerous.

Roundworms also affect humans

Roundworms in the dog are a frequent strain in Central Europe and in special cases can lead to disease symptoms in humans. Roundworms live in the intestines of dogs and can be up to 18 cm long. The excreted with the feces eggs are fully infectious only after ten to fifteen days. After the ingestion of infective worm eggs from the environment, the microscopic larvae hatch in the intestine of the dog, which then migrate out of the intestine and enter the respiratory tract of the dog via the liver and finally the lungs. By coughing and again swallowing the larvae they get back into the digestive tract, there to fix themselves again as an adult worm. As an alternative to this normal body wandering in the affected dog, worm larvae may migrate in all mammals as well as in humans following the ingestion of infectious eggs, with the larvae ultimately not entering the lungs or intestine. Instead, the larvae can move in any body tissue and transform into dormant permanent stages. In the pregnant bitch such Ruhelarven can be reactivated and either enter directly through the uterus into the fetus or lead to the birth of the mammary glands and the Saugakt for infection of the puppy. In humans, these migratory larvae can in rare cases lead to diseases of the brain or the eyes. In a study conducted in Austria, 6.3% of adults had an immune reaction against animal roundworms, with regular contact with pets being the most important risk factor.

Many ways to catch hookworms...

Intestinal parasites make a hike in the dog's body after being taken up by the dog, and are then coughed up over the lungs and swallowed again. Migratory larvae can also lead to pneumonia and bronchitis in very severe infestation - symptoms in which not everyone immediately thinks of intestinal parasites.

Lungworms on the rise

Dogs are more often diagnosed with lungworms. One of the reasons for this is the proliferation of foxes and badgers and the penetration of these cultural successors into urban habitats. As natural hosts of the lungworm, fox and badger ensure the spread of the parasite. Unfortunately, the number of key intermediate hosts, namely snails and slugs, is increasing year by year. The snails contain the infectious larva of the lungworm. If the dog eats an infested snail, it is infected. The larvae migrate from the dog's intestine across the abdomen into the heart and into the pulmonary arteries, where they develop into adult worms. In the pulmonary artery, the eggs are deposited and enter the bloodstream into the lung tissue, where they cause massive foci of inflammation and develop into larvae that are coughed up, swallowed and excreted in the feces. The larvae in the feces are again taken up by the snails and the infection cycle begins again. The infestation with lungworms can only be proved by special detection methods of larvae in the faeces. Worm remedies with a broad therapeutic spectrum help in a short time when used regularly.

Tapeworm: the smaller the more dangerous

Contrary to popular belief, the most dangerous specimens, such as the fox tapeworm and the tripartite dog tapeworm, are relatively small; their length is only one to six millimeters. That's why they're rarely found in a dog's droppings, and the tapeworm eggs are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Unfortunately, the spread of fox tapeworm, which is dangerous for humans, is on the increase. The fox tapeworm is harmless for dogs, they excrete the tapeworm limbs with their feces, but they do not get sick. However, if a person gets involved with it - for example, when stroking the animal - this can be life-threatening. Because in humans, this tapeworm can lead to serious chronic diseases of the liver and other internal organs.

Even fleas transmit tapeworms

The most common tapeworms of the dog are transmitted by fleas - such as the cucumber core tapeworm - and fortunately are harmless to humans. As soon as dogs catch an infected flea from their fur and eat it, it comes to the infection of the dog. These tapeworms do not release individual eggs with the dog's droppings, but whole egg packets in a tapeworm limb, which can actively move. These eggs have the size of a grain of rice and are also easy to see by the naked eye.

Deworming protects animals and humans

In general, parasites are often found in the dog, although not every infestation must lead to the same disease symptoms. Regular deworming of the quadruped not only protects it, but it can also save us humans from difficult to recognize diseases. The right choice of deworming agent is crucial here, as not every preparation works against every intestinal parasite of the dog. Repeated parasitological fecal examinations of the dog can provide information about the parasite burden. It should be noted, however, that many intestinal parasites excrete eggs only irregularly. Therefore, a negative result of a fecal examination is still no evidence of the absence of parasitic infestation of the dog. In addition, basic hygiene measures should be observed in all dogs. After caressing and before eating, hands should be washed and sharing the sleeping place of dog and human (in the same bed) sometimes leads to sharing of the same parasites. The coat cleaning of the dog is usually left to humans, but especially in times when the dog has diarrhea is very important. The licking of the face of infants by the dog should generally be avoided. As soon as the dog has licked or gnawed at it, food either belongs to the dog or it has to be disposed of.