Often times when pet owners think of parasites, they think of what they can easily see, like fleas and ticks. And while those parasites are highly important, there are more “hidden” parasites that are just as dangerous to your pet. That’s right, worms! More than likely, you are used to hearing about heartworms as a pet owner. Yet, there are more “hidden” parasites that are dangerous and problematic to your pet: intestinal worms. These are parasites such a hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms.
Along with the increasing threat of heartworm, the rates of intestinal parasites are also becoming more and more prevalent. Pets are more exposed now than they ever have been before. With dog parks, doggy day cares, and pet socialization on the rise, there are more prime areas for the spread of these parasites. It is important to know that visiting these areas with your pet increases your pet’s risk of picking up one of these parasites along the way.
It is important to protect against intestinal parasites for your pet’s health, of course, but yours too! Many pet owners do not realize that these worms carry zoonotic diseases that are a threat to their entire family, especially children. For example, roundworm eggs can live in the home for years so the family and the pet could be as risk for longer than when the original problem was found. Hookworm larvae in the yard can be transferred into human skin through bare feet and spread disease.
Even without the spread of disease to humans, intestinal worms are just downright stressful – both for the pet and the owner. The worms can cause issues with the pet-owner relationship. This can happen when an egg is found in the fur and the owner is nervous to hold their pet close. For example, tape worm eggs can often be found in pet hair and look like a grain of rice. It can also occur when a pet has to be confined to a specific area during treatment in order to not spread disease further. Dogs are intelligent creatures and can quickly feel isolated away from their family.
Though they may be “hidden”, intestinal parasites are a large threat for pets and their family. Just as important as it is to give your pet preventatives for fleas and ticks, it is necessary to protect them against heart and intestinal worms.