Parasites are with us throughout the year can cause serious illness in your pet. Worms are internal parasites called endoparasites that take up residence in your dog’s intestines and feed off partially digested food or blood. Symptoms can be severe and even fatal.
Ectoparasites are critters like ticks, fleas and mites that live outside the body of the host, but many are harmful as they spread diseases that can also be fatal.
Keeping your new pet free of both internal and external parasites is important for his good health, as well as that of yourself and your family. The good news is that there are many safe and effective products on the market that can be used to keep parasites at bay.
Worms away
Board-spectrum dewormers kill a number of different species in a single dose. Some products work by paralysing the worm so it loosens its grip on the intestinal wall and is excreted as waste. Other products break down the worm’s built-in resistance to avoid digestion by the host’s digestive system, as in the case of the tapeworm. Once the resistance breaks down, the worm is digested and excreted as waste.
Dewormers are available in tablet, liquid, paste and powder form. Some are applied directly into the pet’s mouth and some products are sprinkled over food. Depending on the product and the worms it targets, dead worms may be seen in the stool, but those that are digested inside the intestine are not seen.
If you have a herding dog breed or a mixed breed puppy who may have herding dog ancestry, speak to your vet about testing for the MDR1 gene mutation. Caution must be exercised when giving these dogs a deworming product containing ivermectin. The mutant gene causes some medications to cross the blood-brain barrier, resulting in a number of symptoms and even death.
How often should I deworm? Puppies should be dewormed by the breeder at two, four and six weeks of age and again at eight weeks (either by the breeder or new owner). Thereafter, the puppy should be dewormed at three months and monthly to six months of age. Older puppies and adult dogs should be dewormed every three to six months. If your pet comes into contact with other dogs or dog faeces, err on the side of caution and deworm every three months.
Fighting ticks and fleas
Always consider the safety of your animals when choosing a product. If you have cats, speak to your vet about a product that is safe for both dogs and cats. Always read the package inserts as to what age dog the product is suitable for, how it should be applied and any other rules that must be followed, for example, not bathing the pet for 24 hours after application or allowing him to swim.
Some products can be used on very young puppies and others are advocated for use from eight to 10 weeks of age. When using a product for the first time, keep an eye on your puppy. Any reactions like vomiting, diarrhoea, malaise and poor appetite should be reported to your vet.
Shampoos Puppy shampoo is gentle for soft skin and therefore suitable for young puppies, but also check the manufacturer’s age guidelines before you use a product.
Topical A product applied directly to the skin. The product comes in a plastic vial and its contents are ‘spotted on’ at one or two points on the pet’s body. Some products kill parasites on contact and others are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and the parasite is killed after it takes a blood meal. Products are age and weight specific, so choose the correct one for your pet.
Collars Available for puppies, usually by weight (or from seven weeks of age). Once fitted, any excess can be snipped off to prevent it getting snagged on objects. Most collars offer long-term tick and flea protection.
Oral medication A tablet that is given to the dog as a treat. The active ingredient enters your pet’s bloodstream. If the dog has parasites or picks one up and it feeds on a blood meal, the chemical circulating in the pet’s bloodstream will kill the parasite. Some products get to work within 30 minutes after ingestion. Products are available according to your pet’s weight and some products are safe for young puppies. Some drugs now also include a combination deworming treatment.
Should I treat for ticks and fleas only when I see them? When it comes to ticks and fleas, prevention is key. Select a suitable product, then follow the guidelines for its administration. Even if your pet does not have ticks or fleas, don’t skip treatments. Some topical applications need to be applied monthly, while some oral medications need only be given every two months or so. Collars may last up to eight months.
1. Worms
- Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms and Spirocerca lupi are seen in dogs in South Africa.
- Clinical signs of worms, among others, include poor general condition, small rice-like grains around the anus, diarrhoea and failure to gain weight in puppies.
- A ‘pot belly’ look in puppies may also indicate the presence of worms.
2. Ticks
- Ticks must be avoided – they carry a number of diseases, of which some can be fatal. These include canine babesiosis (tick fever) and canine ehrlichiosis (tick bite fever).
- Ticks are generally greyish or brown in colour and large enough to see with the naked eye.
- Never remove a tick on your own, unless you know exactly how. Contact your vet if you are unsure.
- Ticks can ‘hide’ on your dog. Check puppy’s armpits and groin area, between his toes and around the ears – especially after walking in long grass.
3. Fleas
- Fleas are not easy to see with the naked eye – for every one you do see, there could be as many as 50 more.
- A large part of the lifecycle takes place off the host. Once the adult flea emerges from the cocoon, it looks for a host for a meal and will soon begin to lay eggs. In favourable conditions, the lifecycle takes 16 to 22 days to complete.
- Although fleas are not as harmful as ticks, a dog with fleas can be very uncomfortable. If he is itchy (tick saliva is an irritant), he will scratch himself. This can cause the skin to become very inflamed and painful.
- Fleas are also part of the lifecycle of the tapeworm – meaning that flea treatments and deworming should be done together.
- Good hygiene is important for flea control. Regularly wash your puppy’s bedding in a hot wash in the washing machine and regularly vacuum carpets. If you use a vacuum cleaner with a bag, cut off a small section of a tick and flea collar and place it inside the bag to eliminate fleas as they are sucked up.
