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Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, Worms, and Other
Nasties
[Fleas / Ticks /
Mosquitoes / Worms / Mites /
Protozoans]
No matter how tough he or she may be, your animal can be affected by a host of
pests and diseases. Education, prevention, and regular check ups are your best
bet for helping to keep your pet healthy, happy, and pest/disease free. We can
help you decide which product would be the best for your pet.
Many products are available. Frontline® is a liquid that is applied
once a month onto the skin. This medication spreads over the entire body (within
48 hours) where it is retained by and slowly released from the skin oil glands
(sebaceous glands), killing fleas and ticks on contact.
Program®, a tablet given once each month with a full meal,
effectively prevents flea eggs from hatching. Program® Injection,
available only for cats, is given once every 6 months. Revolution®,
the newest product, not only kills fleas and ticks, but also functions as a
heartworm preventive. This prescription product, applied monthly to one area of
the skin, is absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Conventional flea sprays, powders, foams, and shampoos can still be
used. However, they require frequent and careful application to be effective.
Cats, in particular, find topically applied flea sprays, powders, and foams
especially distasteful and will groom themselves to no end to remove the
offensive product.
Of certain concern to pet owners would be diseases that can be transmitted from
your pet to you. Here is a
recent article that
discusses these concerns.
Take a walk into the microscopic world below to see a few of the most common
types of pests you and your pet could encounter.
Click on Images to Enlarge
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Fleas |
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Cat flea above and head shot
below [Photos Courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Science
Learning Network] |
There are several
types of fleas around that can cause you and your pets problems. These
include the cat flea, the dog flea and, and the human flea. Fleas begin as
larva--which transform from a tiny maggot-like worm into a six-legged
blood-thirsty super-jumper (about the size of a freckle) able to leap 150
times its own body length!
While fleas have a
"preferred" host (animal on which they prefer to feed), this doesn't stop
them from feeding from species to species. (In other words, if your dog or
cat is not available, fleas will feed on you!) Adults can live for
several years, go without feeding for months, and remain in a structure
(your pet's or your bed) long after your pet has been removed.
Fleas can also
transmit tapeworms and their saliva can cause severe
allergic reactions in animals. The best course of action is to prevent fleas
and flea infestation before they start
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Ticks |
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Female American dog tick and
mouthparts (Photo Courtesy Pfiezer Research and the Science Learning
Network) |
Animals such as
dogs, cats, horses, (and humans!) can contract tick associated diseases.
Animals may carry ticks into your home, and outdoor activities with your pet
can increase your and your pet's exposure to ticks.
The perfect
feeding machine: Once attached to a person or animal, a tick's barbed
mouth, along with a special glue (you don't want to know), allows it to
relentlessly hold on until it has finished feeding.
Some of the diseases
associated with ticks include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,
Human Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and Babesiosis, and other diseases you don't
want.
The best course of
action is prevention by protecting you and your pet from ticks and their
diseases. Check with your vet to find the best mode of preventive treatment
for you and your pet.
The National
Center for Infectious Disease has a list of tick-borne diseases. Also
see Ehrlichiosis - A
Silent and Deadly Killer . |
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Mosquitoes |
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(Above) Culex mosquito laying eggs (Photo
Courtesy CDC) (Below) Mosquito larvae emerging from egg (Micrograph Courtesy
Dr. J. Becnel, USDA, ARS, CMAVE) |
The
dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, is an increasing major veterinary
health problem for dogs. This parasite is transmitted by several types of
mosquitoes, such as the Culex type of mosquito.
Determining if a
dog has heart worms involves drawing blood to determine whether the parasite
is present and regular dosing with preventive medication. Heartworm
infestation is dangerous; untreated dogs die and treated dogs go through
weeks of discomfort while the worms are killed and expelled from their
bodies.
Heartworm
prevention is simple. Preventive medicines come in oral and topical versions
and are only available from your veterinarian. |
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Worms |
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Hookworm [Photo World Health
Organization (WHO)]
Tapeworm (Taeniasis solium) showing suckers and hooks. (Photo CDC) |
Dogs can be
victims of several types of parasites, frequently referred to as "worms."
These can include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, ringworm, and tapeworms
that can be a big problem when flea infestations are high.
Several worms that
infect and re-infect dogs can also infect humans, so treatment and
eradication of worms in your environment is important. Again, prevention is
the best course of action. Make sure your vet checks and treats your dogs
(particularly puppies) for worms.
To read more about
dog and cat tapeworms visit the
Centers for Disease Control. Read more about
hookworms.
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Mites |
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Ear mite in dog's ear canal. (Photo by Vetcam Gallery)
Scabies mite Sarcoptes scabei (CDC Photo) |
Mites can cause
problems in dogs and cats. For example, in dogs, mites can cause sarcoptic
mange, or scabies. This type of mite burrows under the skin, and causes
severe itching, scabs, and hair loss.
Cat ear mites,
also called otodectes cynotis, are usually seen in kittens within a
few weeks after owners bring them home. These mites can cause significant discomfort;
fortunately, most cats rapidly respond to simple treatment.
You can protect
your animal and yourself by having your vet examine any suspicious skin
lesions and following preventive treatment measures on your animal and in
their (and your) environment. |
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Protozoa |
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Toxoplasma gondii in cat tissue. (CDC Photo) |
Toxoplasmosis is
caused by a protozoan, a one-celled parasite, called
Toxoplasma gondii. Hunting cats
(and they are natural hunters) can contract this parasite by eating small
rodents, then shedding the cysts in their stool.
Most cats and
people show no signs of the disease, or have only mild flu-like symptoms.
However, those with a weakened immune system (such as those with AIDS or
those undergoing chemotherapy) may develop a much more serious infection.
Fetal infection can be very serious, so pregnant women must take special
precautions. Protect
yourself and your cat by not letting your cat
hunt and not feeding it raw meat (which can also contain the parasite).
Pregnant women and immuno-suppressed persons should not change litter boxes
or be sure to wear gloves when doing so.
For more
information visit the
Centers for Disease Control: Division of Parasitic Diseases. |
Information contained herein is provided as a service to our visitors and as a
general guide. It should not be substituted for professional
veterinary or
medical care. You should always consult a licensed professional with questions
or concerns about your or your animal's health.
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