One of the most common problems with dogs and cats is worms. Worms are usually not a life threatening condition, but they aren’t pleasant to deal with either. There are many ways for your pets to get worms. Some dogs and cats may even be born with them. Before you can get rid of these pests you need to identify which type of worm they have. Below is an explanation of the four most common types, roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Most of these worms have the same type of symptoms that may include diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting.
Roundworms are very common among dogs and cats. They can be picked up by ingesting the eggs which are usually contained in the animal’s stools. Keeping your pet’s environment clear of feces can help prevent roundworms and other types of worms as well.
However, preventing roundworms isn’t always easy since mothers can actually pass these parasites to unborn animals. It is also possible to have roundworms without any having any symptoms. However, when they are passed or vomited they are very noticeable and resemble spaghetti. Roundworms are difficult to pass to humans because you would have to ingest the fecal matter that contains the eggs.
Tapeworms are harder to get rid of than roundworms. While there are usually over the counter medications that can be purchased for roundworms, a prescription may be needed for tapeworms. It is also easier to catch tapeworms. If your dogs or cats like to eat dead animals, they can easily catch tapeworms. They can also catch tapeworms by ingesting fleas that contain tapeworm eggs.
Tapeworms can be distinguished from roundworms by the way they look. What you may see on your dogs and cats are little segments of the worm. The worm is made up of these segments and you will usually never see a whole tapeworm. The segments may resemble tiny worms because they will still move around. This is because the segment contains the eggs. After the segment has been passed it will dry up and no longer move. You may mistake these segments for grains of rice stuck to your dogs and cats fur or in their stools.
Hookworms are not going to be seen in the stools or on the fur. They are microscopic and they will only be identified through a stool sample or due to symptoms. These worms attach themselves to the inside of your dogs, and less often, your cats. While attached they will feed off of the blood from your pet. This may make your dogs or cats anemic and could become a big problem.
Whipworms are also going to be largely undetected unless your pet is suffering from symptoms. A stool sample can usually show whether your dogs and cats have contracted whipworms. However, there are times when a stool sample will not work. This is because whipworms leave very few eggs. If your dogs or cats have a mucous covering on their stools, they may have whipworms.
Dealing with worms is never pleasant for a pet owner. You just have to remember that it is even more unpleasant for the pet. Identifying your culprit is the first step in treating the worm infestation. If you any trouble you should see your veterinarian for help in dealing with this problem.
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by guest blogger Cathy from Bloggydoggies
Most of us know that dogs are far superior when it comes to their hearing ability. Humans can hear within the range of 20Hz to 20 KHz. By comparison, most dogs can hear between 67Hz to 45KHz.
What happens though when your dog can't hear? It's more common than most of us realize. Some dogs are born deaf. Dogs with this genetic predisposition include Dalmations, Boston Terriers, Rottweilers, English Setters, and Border Collies. Dogs without pigment, white dogs and merle colored dogs also seem to have this problem more often than other dogs. When the hearing loss is genetic, there is nothing that can be done to help the dog medically. These dogs still make great pets though. They can be trained with light and hand signals. There is a common misconception that deaf dogs are more aggressive. This is not the case at all with dogs that are born deaf.
Dogs who lose their hearing later in life, may become aggressive but it is only because of their confusion. Unlike humans, they do not understand what is happening to them and can lash out in fear when startled. Never come up behind a deaf dog who is sleeping. Even when he is awake, if he can't see you come up behind him, he may be momentarily startled and and act aggressively.
Other causes of deafness are ruptured eardrums, fluid in the ears, chronic infections, nerve problems, reactions to anesthesia or other medicines, blocked ear canals, and age. Some of these conditions can be treated medically.
So if you think your dog may be deaf, how do you test for it? First, get behind the dog and make some noises. Even if he doesn't have an obvious reaction, you should see what is called a Pryor's Reflex; which is that his ears will twitch. If there is no reaction at all, the next step is to make an appointment with your vet. It may be treatable. Even if it isn't treatable, your dog will adjust with a little time and patience. You will have to be more careful in keeping an eye on your dog since he can't hear the dangers around him. Also, it's a good idea to put a bell on his collar to make finding him easier should he get away from you.
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