In other words, the worms are trying to develop the internal organs, eyes, or brain. Three distinct problems can develop visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans, and neural larva migrans. If this isn’t bad enough, the worms can also infect you or your children. They can also cause the animals to lose weight and develop a pot bellied appearance. They can cause vomiting up of the worms, which can be quite impressive as some worms reach a length of 7 inches. Both dogs and cats often suffer from diarrhea. In both cases of roundworms the symptoms are nearly the same. They are also spread by eating animals infested with the worms or from nursing from an infected mother. These are spread by eating soil or grooming dirt off of themselves. Lastly they can be infected either by nursing an infected mother or even in utero if the mother is infected.Ĭats are infested with a different species of roundworm. They can also be infected by eating an animal infested with roundworms. They can ingest the eggs of the worm in the soil. Dogs are infected in four different ways. One of the most commons worms we see are roundworms. It is important to keep your pet on a deworming schedule and monthly preventative. There are several different types of worms that can affect your pet, and some of these can also affect you or your children. Call 31 or click here to request an appointment online.One of the most common complaints that owners have to both veterinarians and emergency vets is “my pet has worms!!” Most often the owners will either note actual worms in their pet’s feces or just that their pet has started to have diarrhea. The Animal Medical Center of Mid-America has veterinarians at two locations that can answer questions about your pet’s health. But you will want to be sure to get medication from your veterinarian, as over-the-counter dewormers and preventatives tend to not be as effective. While parasites may seem gross, it is easy to treat and prevent most types. He or she will also discuss a monthly preventative. Therefore, your veterinarian will probably recommend deworming your puppy or kitten several times over the course of the first six months. The hookworm can suck so much blood that it can be fatal to a puppy or kitten, and young pets can be reinfected by nursing, through the environment, and by internal larvae that mature and lay more eggs. While humans can get hookworms, they don’t survive long in our bodies. They most often infect puppies but they can also infect adult dogs and cats. Hookworms also attach themselves to the small intestine and live off blood and tissue. So, you will want to make sure your pet is treated immediately and speak with your doctor if you suspect you have come in contact with dog feces or soil that is contaminated. Humans can get roundworms, especially human children. They are usually white or light brown and long. You may see the roundworms in your pet’s stool. They live in the intestinal tract and can grow up to five inches long! Because the roundworm eggs are in a hard shell, they can survive for years in the soil, potentially reinfecting your pet after treatment. Roundworms are passed from mom to puppy or kitten. You will want to let your veterinarian know if you have other pets at home though. So, if your dog or cat gets whipworms, you don’t have to worry about it spreading to you and your family. Humans can get whipworms, but not the kind that affect our pets. Even more spine-chilling, whipworms can survive for years in their host or in the soil, food, or water! Attaching itself to the walls of the large intestine, a whipworm feeds on the hosts’ blood. Whipworms are more common in dogs than cats, but our feline family members can still get these parasites too. Some of the most common parasites in our pets are whipworms, roundworms, and hookworms. Your veterinarian may recommend testing for parasites annually, just to be on the safe side. But, many pets can have parasites without any symptoms. Some visible signs might include diarrhea, bloody stool, pale gums, weight loss, or the appearance that your pet has a large belly. Parasites are common in pets, yet many pet owners don’t know much about them, and when we think of parasites, we instinctively think “EIt isn’t always easy to tell if your pet has parasites. Posted In: Feline Health & Wellness, Canine Health & Wellness