Common Intestinal Parasites in Pets: Prevention and Treatment Strategies

Have you ever taken a walk (especially in the early morning) and noticed all the earthworms

on the sidewalk? Have you ever wondered what other worms might be lurking in the dirt? Well, I’m here to tell you that there are A LOT of worms out there. And unfortunately, many of those creepy crawlies hidden below the grass can be harmful to you, your family, and your pets. If you own a cat or a dog, you are probably most familiar with roundworms and tapeworms. These worms are large enough for us to see without a microscope and are some of the more common worms that infect our pets. If you have ever gotten a new puppy or kitten, your veterinarian should have given them a dewormer even if they have a “negative” fecal result that shows no parasites. This is because not all intestinal parasites continuously shed eggs into every fecal sample. A worm burden can easily be missed when only one sporadic fecal sample is checked. In general, it is best to always deworm a new puppy or kitten since many can be infected from the mother’s milk, exposure to grass and soil, and from living outdoors. This is especially true for stray kittens.

Also, roundworms are contagious to humans. This is called a “zoonotic” disease, meaning that it can pass directly from an animal to a human. It is especially important to practice good hygiene when cleaning up after your pets if you have young children or are immune compromised. Another important zoonotic parasite found in Pennsylvania is the hookworm. This one is particularly scary because it can burrow through human skin to infect us. It is very important to wear shoes outside where the soil may be contaminated with pet or wild animal feces. These worms eventually get into your pet’s digestive tract (or yours!) and feed on blood. You definitely don’t want these guys as friends!

Another parasite you may be familiar with is the tapeworm. These are large worms that are easily seen in feces. They frequently break into small segments called proglottids that are off-white in color and look like grains of rice. Pets become infected with these worms if they ingest fleas or hunt small mammals. Luckily, most of the intestinal parasites in Pennsylvania are susceptible to standard deworming medications. There are some worms out there that are resistant to treatment, making eradication nearly impossible.

It is best to prevent infections before they start. The best way to avoid infection in your pet is to give a prescription heartworm preventative every month or as directed by your veterinarian. Most of these products contain effective treatment against roundworms and hookworms, and a few also treat whipworms and tapeworms. It is impossible to completely prevent intestinal parasites in your pet, but with a good treatment program in place, this is one issue you should never have to worry about with your pets and family members.

For more information on intestinal parasites, talk to your veterinarian and visit the website for the Companion Animal Parasite Council at capc.org.