Cats and dogs are not only susceptible to hereditary and endocrine diseases but also to parasitic infections. Contrary to common misconceptions, parasitic infections are not due to poor hygiene habits or negligence on the part of pet parents but can occur despite all precautions. Parasites can inhabit our furry friends in unexpected ways. Therefore, it is crucial for pet parents to understand the common types of parasites that affect cats and dogs. Parasite infections in cats and dogs are categorized into internal and external parasites, each with varying degrees of severity and treatment methods. We have compiled a comprehensive guide on common internal and external parasites in cats and dogs, including their transmission routes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods. We hope to assist pet parents in detecting any abnormalities in their pets early, seeking prompt treatment to prevent regrets, and paying more attention to cleanliness in daily life to reduce the chances of infection. This article will inform pet parents about common internal and external parasites in cats and dogs, daily care steps to prevent parasites, and how to be vigilant against these ubiquitous threats. The article includes a detailed guide on internal parasites such as heartworms,弓形虫 / 弓漿蟲, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, lungworms, and Giardia, as well as external parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, and ear mites. It also provides daily care guidelines to prevent parasites and answers common questions about internal parasites. Internal parasites, as the name suggests, reside within the internal organs or body of cats and dogs. Some internal parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can also infect humans, so pet parents must be especially vigilant. This section introduces eight types of internal parasites that can harm the health of cats and dogs for pet parents’ reference. Click on the link below or the floating table of contents button in the upper left corner to directly navigate to the section on internal parasites in cats and dogs. Heartworms Heartworms are internal parasites that reside in the heart and lungs, primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. Dogs are the main targets for transmission, but cats can also be infected. Heartworms, once infected, can cause severe harm, typically residing in the body for 2-3 years. Due to the smaller stature, blood vessel diameter, and heart and lung capacity of cats, just 1-2 adult worms can cause shock and death in cats, often without warning, making them the most common silent killers for cats. For dogs, heartworm infection can obstruct blood flow in the heart and cause significant discomfort. The primary transmission route for heartworms is through ‘mosquito bites’ during blood exchange. Symptoms of Heartworms When microfilariae (young heartworms) are present in the body, they are very difficult to detect, and pets will not show obvious symptoms. When heartworms mature and spread to the pulmonary artery, severely affecting the cardiopulmonary function of pets, symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing will appear. At this point, the microfilariae have grown into adult worms, indicating a very serious stage. Therefore, prevention is better than treatment for heartworms. Preventing Heartworms Taiwan is in a high-risk area for heartworm infection, with a particularly high number of disease-carrying mosquitoes in the summer. When taking pets outdoors, pet parents must pay special attention to whether their pets are regularly given preventive heartworm medication. Administering preventive medication monthly or quarterly is an effective method to prevent heartworms.
??Super Dangerous Parasites That Cats and Dogs Should Pay Attention to | Heartworm Prevention + Treatment Guide
Toxoplasma gondii
Introduction to Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that often parasitizes mammals. That is to say, toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted to humans. If pregnant women are infected with toxoplasma gondii, it may lead to miscarriage or fetal malformation. Many pregnant women will worry about being infected by pets. Basically, as long as comprehensive examinations are done to confirm that cats and dogs do not have toxoplasma gondii, and they are not infected during pregnancy, and preventive measures such as not eating raw food of unknown origin are taken, it is unlikely to be infected, so you can keep cats and dogs at ease!
Transmission route of toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii is usually transmitted through ‘eating infected feces and raw food’. But only cats are the final host and will excrete feces containing eggs. Dogs are only intermediate hosts, and their feces do not contain eggs. If cats and dogs accidentally eat infected feces or raw beef, mutton, pork, etc. that are not cooked, they may be infected with toxoplasma gondii. However, domestic cats and dogs that only eat canned food or dry pet food are unlikely to be infected with toxoplasma gondii. If pet parents have the habit of feeding raw food to cats and dogs, special attention should be paid to disinfection and food sources.
Symptoms of toxoplasma gondii
If kittens or puppies are infected with toxoplasma gondii, it usually leads to stillbirth or rapid death after birth. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, enlarged liver, and ascites appear. Adult cats and dogs have relatively few clinical symptoms. Depending on the infected area, symptoms such as poor appetite, weight loss, and muscle pain may appear, but they are relatively inconspicuous.
How to treat toxoplasma gondii
The treatment method is very simple. With the cooperation of vitamins or medications prescribed by veterinarians, adult cats and dogs will usually recover quickly. And the immune system of normal humans will quickly eliminate toxoplasma gondii. With the cooperation of medications as prescribed by doctors and continuous follow-up, recovery can usually be achieved quickly. If there are pets at home and the family wants to prepare for pregnancy, take them to the doctor and veterinarian for a complete examination and consultation first!
Coccidia
Introduction to coccidia
Compared with other parasites, coccidia is different in that it is a single-celled organism, not a worm. However, like other parasites in cats and dogs, it can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, watery diarrhea, and bloody stools in the host, so it is easily misdiagnosed. Compared with adult cats and dogs, young cats and puppies are more likely to get coccidia. Coccidia mainly parasitize on the mucosa of the small intestine and large intestine, absorb nutrients from the host and continue to spread.
Transmission route of coccidia
Coccidia eggs have strong vitality and can survive in moist soil for more than one year. As long as cats or dogs accidentally eat coccidia oocysts, they are easily infected with coccidia.
Symptoms of coccidia
Usually the symptoms are not obvious. Mostly, the physical signs are normal, but the cat has continuous bloody stools or diarrhea. In a small number of severe cases, cats and dogs may die due to anemia or dehydration.
Treatment method for coccidia
There is no targeted killing treatment for coccidia. Drugs only inhibit the growth of coccidia and争取 time for cats and dogs to produce antibodies against coccidia. Most cases of coccidia that are not serious can be cured by the cat’s or dog’s own body. However, if the situation of bloody stools continues, emergency medical treatment is needed!
Hookworm
Introduction to hookworm
Hookworm is a small and thin worm. The teeth in its mouth are like a hook tightly biting the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients, so it is called hookworm.
If cats and dogs are bitten by hookworms and their intestines are parasitized, they may develop minor ulcers, leading to intestinal mucosal inflammation, bleeding, or bloody diarrhea, and in severe cases, iron-deficiency anemia. Hookworms are also contagious to humans. The hookworm infection route involves hookworm eggs being present in the feces or soil of infected animals, requiring warm and moist conditions to hatch into larvae. These larvae then seek opportunities to bite their hosts with their mouthparts and enter the host’s small intestine through blood vessels or other pathways. Cats and dogs can be infected with hookworms through three main routes: intermediate host infection, direct ingestion infection, and skin contact infection. Humans can also be infected with hookworms! Walking barefoot in outdoor environments or being scratched by cats and dogs can lead to hookworm infection. Hookworm symptoms typically do not cause serious diseases and can only be observed from small details. Initially, there may be bloody diarrhea, weakness, and later there may be a significant decrease in physical strength, poor appetite, and other symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia. [For further reading] What to do if a cat has diarrhea with soft stools? To prevent hookworms, cats and dogs that go for walks outdoors or are kept outdoors can be given preventive medication or undergo regular deworming by a veterinarian every six months. Tapeworms are common parasites in the intestines of cats and dogs, appearing long and segmented. One can check for white rice-like or sesame seed-like segments that move, which are the tapeworm’s segments shedding and containing infectious larvae. Tapeworms are transmitted through ‘fleas’, but not through bites, rather by ingestion. Cats or dogs may ingest fleas while grooming their fur or eating fleas infected with tapeworms outdoors. However, tapeworms cannot complete their life cycle within the host’s body; they must hatch into larvae within the flea’s body, and only then can they be transmitted to cats and dogs when ingested. Therefore, ingesting tapeworm eggs is harmless. Tapeworm symptoms occur because tapeworms are expelled with feces and wriggle near the anus, causing discomfort and itching for cats and dogs, leading to the pet rubbing its buttocks. Additionally, weight loss (as nutrition is absorbed by the tapeworms), vomiting, and soft stools may occur. [For further reading] How to distinguish cat vomit? What to do if there are worms? To treat tapeworms, take your cat or dog to a veterinarian and use the specific deworming medication provided by the veterinarian for effective treatment. Tapeworms are different from general intestinal parasites, so choose a deworming medication that ‘can treat tapeworms’ for it to be effective, and also perform flea control at the same time. Roundworms are a type of ascarid that can grow up to 10 centimeters long, with adults forming long, slender worms that can block the intestines of cats and dogs. Not only cats and dogs can be infected, but humans can also be infected with roundworms. Roundworms can live in the intestines and also bore into other organs causing damage, so if there are roundworm symptoms, it is crucial to seek emergency medical attention to check for organ damage! Roundworms are transmitted when cats or dogs ingest food containing roundworms or roundworm eggs, or intermediate hosts (rodents), and in addition to oral infection, they can also be transmitted vertically from mother cats or dogs to kittens or puppies.
Roundworm symptoms in kittens and puppies infected with roundworms, even in small numbers, can lead to severe conditions such as rough hair, vomiting, pale gums, and protruding bellies. In adult cats and dogs with a lower infection rate, symptoms are usually not obvious. However, if the infection is severe, it can cause malnutrition, bloated and sore bellies, vomiting and diarrhea (with worm bodies in the vomit), and even intestinal blockages in severe cases. Roundworm treatment involves following the veterinarian’s instructions on medication and regularly cleaning the litter box, which usually leads to a quick recovery. Lungworms: Introduction to Lungworms Lungworms are transmitted through the feces of infected animals or intermediate hosts, typically slugs and snails. Adult worms reside in the lungs, causing cats and dogs to cough continuously, have a reduced appetite, difficulty breathing, and even cough up worm carcasses in severe cases. Transmission routes of lungworms Lungworms are small worms, with intermediate hosts usually being mollusks, such as slugs or snails. These animals are eaten by lizards, and when mistakenly ingested by cats or dogs, they pass through the esophagus, enter the gastrointestinal mucosa, and infect the lungs through the bloodstream. Lungworm symptoms Young kittens and puppies are more susceptible to lungworms than adult cats and dogs. It is important to monitor for sudden increases in respiratory rate, the onset of coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and respiratory distress in daily life. However, apart from these symptoms, there are fewer obvious signs, and diagnosis is usually accidental by a veterinarian. Prevention of lungworms Infected animals do not transmit the infection to each other but require intermediate hosts for transmission. Therefore, maintaining a clean environment and following the veterinarian’s prescription for medication can prevent infection. Giardia: Introduction to Giardia Giardia parasites reside in the intestines, causing the host to suffer from diarrhea and dehydration. Not only cats and dogs can be infected, but humans can also be infected by Giardia. Giardia not only infects mammals but also makes the absorption of fats and vitamins difficult, and it is highly contagious, making it a troublesome parasite. Transmission routes of Giardia Giardia usually spreads due to the ingestion of infected food, water, or objects. Direct contact does not lead to infection. However, it is important to note that Giardia can survive in the environment for several months, and both ‘feces and objects’ can be infectious. Ingestion can easily lead to infection. Symptoms of Giardia include loss of appetite, bloody stools, diarrhea, soft stools, and general weakness and fatigue. Prevention of Giardia There are now prescription drugs and vaccines specifically for treating Giardia. If you suspect your pet has this parasite, take it to a veterinarian for diagnosis and do not stop the medication. At the same time, it is necessary to clean the cat or dog’s defecation area, thoroughly disinfect it, and reduce the time and opportunities for cats and dogs to stay in damp places. External Parasites: External parasites are usually easier to detect but also the most troublesome. Pet parents need to constantly monitor the infestation of external parasites on their pets because external parasites are often intermediate hosts for internal parasites, meaning both must be addressed simultaneously. Click the link below or tap the floating table of contents button in the upper left corner to go directly to the section on cat and dog external parasites! Fleas, Ticks, Mange Mites, and Ear Mites: Introduction to Fleas Fleas feed on animal blood and bite to draw blood. They are also intermediate hosts for many parasites, making it easy for cats and dogs to contract other parasites through bites or ingestion, which is very troublesome.
Visible fleas only account for 5%, with the other 95% being larvae or eggs hidden in household environments and other places. Therefore, if cats and dogs have fleas, it is crucial to immediately administer antiparasitic treatments and thoroughly clean and disinfect the home environment. Fleas have an astonishing reproductive capacity and are difficult to eliminate. Typically, contact with stray animals carrying fleas can lead to fleas entering the body of pets and, upon returning home, if female fleas lay eggs indoors, the situation can quickly spiral out of control. Flea symptoms in pets manifest as significant itching, leading to constant scratching, which can result in hair loss or swelling. In severe cases, fleas may also attack pet parents, leaving them with red, swollen spots on their skin. To prevent fleas, use flea control agents and regularly clean the home environment, avoiding clutter to ensure fleas have nowhere to hide.
Tick Introduction Ticks, like fleas, feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. Unlike fleas, ticks firmly attach to pets and feed heavily, making them difficult to remove. When feeding, ticks generally do not cause pain, but as their mouthparts and palps simultaneously pierce the host’s skin, they can cause local congestion, swelling, and acute inflammation. Ticks are also intermediate hosts for many internal parasites and infectious diseases, so if ticks are found on pets, it is necessary to visit a veterinary hospital for a blood test to check for other diseases, which is the most appropriate course of action. Tick Transmission Ticks are often found in wild environments such as grasslands, ditches, and muddy areas. Sometimes, in addition to picking up ticks during walks with pets, pet parents might inadvertently bring back tick eggs, exposing pets to tick attacks. Tick Symptoms In most cases, ticks do not trigger any symptoms, only continuing to feed on blood. However, for animals allergic to tick secretions, this can cause itching, wound pain, and a burning sensation. If blood is excessively consumed, symptoms such as weakness, anemia, and reduced physical strength may also occur. To prevent ticks, if you find ticks on your pet, do not forcibly remove them with your hands. Instead, apply vegetable oil to the tick’s body, wait for the tick to suffocate and die, and then carefully remove it. After capturing ticks on your pet, never crush them, as they contain not blood but a large number of eggs, which can lead to the spread of ticks. It is best to use fire, hot water with dish soap, or immerse them in bleach to disinfect and kill any remaining eggs (bleach should not be added to hot water as it can produce toxic gases). Then, clean and disinfect the home environment to completely eradicate any signs of ticks. What to do if you pick up ticks during outdoor activities? | A Complete 5-Step Guide to Removing Ticks!
Mange Mite Introduction Mange mites are extremely frightening, as they burrow into the skin of pets, constantly tunneling and causing itching. Because mange mites burrow into the skin to live, they are generally difficult to locate with the naked eye, causing a severe itchy dermatitis that leads pets to continuously scratch, resulting in persistent skin inflammation and infection. The primary transmission route for mange mites is through direct skin contact, especially intimate skin contact, which is the most contagious. Additionally, contact with intermediate contaminated objects can also lead to infection. Mange Mite Symptoms Mange mites lay eggs in the skin tunnels, causing redness, hair loss, dandruff, and scabs. When the mange infection worsens, the dandruff and scabs will increase, eventually leading to dermatitis that emits a foul odor. To prevent mange mites, when pets contract mange mites, they can be given anti-inflammatory and anti-itch medications, and wear a cone to prevent pets from scratching and worsening the wounds.
It is usually recommended to shave off the hair and use topical medications for treatment. At the same time, disinfect the home environment to prevent sarcoptic mange mites from continuously surviving and parasitizing in the environment. Ear Mites Introduction to Ear Mites Ear mites are very common parasites in the ears of cats and dogs. They are mainly infected through ‘contact’. It is also possible for them to be vertically transmitted from pregnant female cats to their kittens. It is very difficult to observe the shape of the worms directly with the naked eye. Only ‘coffee-colored or black debris’ can be seen. Ear mites feed on tissue debris in the ear canal to maintain life. And they gather in clusters to form debris and continuously nest and lay eggs in the ears. Transmission Routes of Ear Mites Ear mites are very easily transmitted through ‘contact’. The warm and moist ear canal is just a place they like to stay. It does not mean that they only grow in the ear canal. Therefore, when furry kids come into contact with the hair or items of infected pets, or even just play, they are particularly susceptible to infection. Symptoms of Ear Mite Infection Ear mite infection makes cats and dogs very uncomfortable, so they will constantly scratch their ears. Or the furry baby will keep shaking its head to’shake out’ the foreign object. Because furry kids will constantly scratch their ears, it may cause redness and swelling of the skin at the edges or inside of the ears. In severe cases, it may even cause inflammation. Scratching the ears can also lead to hair loss. However, the most obvious characteristic is ‘there are coffee-colored or black scaly secretions in the ears’. How to Treat Ear Mites The treatment of ear mites lies in killing larvae and adults. Since there is currently no specific drug for eggs, the overall treatment course usually lasts for about one month. This is to kill all hatched adults. Do not stop taking the medicine without permission before the veterinarian confirms the end of the treatment course. Otherwise, it is very likely that ear mites will continue to recur. Coffee grounds in the ear? This is a parasite! | Ear Parasite – Ear Mite Guide Prevention and Daily Care Guidelines for Parasites After reading this, I believe that pet parents will be worried. What should I do if my pet has had internal or external parasites? Or how can I prevent parasites from appearing at home? Director Mao has compiled several methods for preventing and treating parasites to provide to pet parents to help them prevent parasites from growing on cats and dogs in daily life. Fight parasites according to medical advice: If cats and dogs have internal or external parasites, first of all, use medicine according to medical advice. Do not overdose or stop taking the medicine without permission. Regularly take cats and dogs for internal parasite expulsion: Kittens and puppies are most likely to be infected with parasites and need frequent parasite expulsion. It is best to go to the veterinarian for parasite expulsion every three months. For adult cats and dogs, it can be done once every six months to a year. Use external parasite medications: There are many high-quality products for external parasites. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian and choose the product most suitable for your furry kid. Pay attention to food hygiene: When feeding raw food, pay attention to the food source and disinfection labels. Try not to feed raw food such as eggs and seafood to pets. Regularly conduct comprehensive health check-ups: In addition to regular parasite expulsion, also regularly conduct physical health check-ups for pets. Summary All common parasites in cats and dogs are sorted out in this article. Pet parents can view detailed parasite introductions in this article to understand detailed parasite information and avoid their furry babies from being infected. Eliminating external parasite infections usually slightly reduces the probability of furry babies being infected with internal parasites. The most important thing is to pay attention to environmental cleanliness and follow the veterinarian’s medication. This is the best way to prevent the recurrence of parasites in cats and dogs! Director Mao said: Paying attention to environmental cleanliness, following the veterinarian’s instructions for medication, and not stopping taking the medicine casually are the most important rules in the treatment process! Although parasites in cats and dogs are very terrifying, as long as pet parents pay more attention, they can also take cats and dogs out to play with peace of mind. FAQs Do cats and dogs have parasites because the environment is not clean? Not necessarily. Sometimes, even if you are very careful, you may accidentally bring in parasites from outdoors and then infect your furry baby.
However, pet parents should not overprotect their furry kids due to fear of parasites and prevent them from going out or over-disinfect the environment… As long as regular deworming is done, daily cleaning is provided for the furry babies, and regular check-ups at the veterinary hospital are carried out. Can pregnant women keep cats and dogs? Will they be infected with toxoplasmosis by pets at home? Generally speaking, only cats are the definitive host. Therefore, dogs, as intermediate hosts, have lower infectivity than cats. So only cat feces can contain toxoplasmosis. But if there are pets at home and there is a plan for pregnancy preparation, the family and pets can be taken to the veterinarian and doctor for a complete examination to confirm whether there are signs of toxoplasmosis infection. Consult a professional doctor about pregnancy preparation. With the doctor’s approval, there is no need to worry too much. It should be noted that raw food can also have many parasite problems, which is also a place that pregnant women need to pay attention to! Can parasites in cats and dogs be transmitted to each other? Basically, since cats and dogs are both mammals, many parasites can be transmitted in common, and some parasites can also be transmitted to humans. Therefore, families with both cats and dogs should also pay more attention to parasite prevention. Once there are signs, the whole family needs to undergo examinations together and keep the environment clean! Limited-time experience set, only 50 yuan, and there is also a free shipping coupon code. Click to use it.?? petdaddy’s latest articles: [Meaning of Cat Postures] Understand 18 Kinds of Cat Body Language in 3 Seconds. February 3, 2023. [What to Do When Cats Fight] Prevention of Cat Fights + Essential Emergency Mediation Guide for Multi-Cat Families. January 26, 2023. Newbie Dog Care Guide: 7 Essential Items for Dog Care, Care Instructions, and Essential Related Knowledge. January 23, 2023. [What to Do When a Cat Keeps Meowing] Help You Understand the Reasons for a Cat’s Constant Meowing in 3 Minutes and How to Deal with It? January 8, 2023. [Food Cats Can Eat] 20 Kinds of Human Foods Can Also Be Used for Cat’s Dietary Supplement! Cats Eat These and Live Longer! December 24, 2022. Thank you for watching. If you find the director’s article very useful, you can click the share button below and share it to LINE and FB for all those in need of information. You are also welcome to join the LINE discussion community for pet parents and discuss pet experiences with 670 pet parents.
