Vet Blog
03/08/09
 Is there a way to visualy tell the difference
between a healthy ‘puppy tummy’ and a 6 week old
puppy with worms?
We got a wonderful 6-week-old mixed breed
puppy (named General) on Thursday.
He is energetic, playful, loving and smart (we
started potty training him and he’s catching on
quickly).
What concerns my husband and I is that he
has a slightly ‘full’ looking stomach and his
poo looks sorta mushy, sometime like soft serve
ice cream and others like a tootsie roll that has
been left out in the sun too long, and is a pea
green color.
We have a vet appointment next week
to get him his shots and have our family vet look
General over. It would ease my mind to know the
difference between a healthy puppy tummy and worms
(my husband is worried General has them) and if we
need to get him into the vet sooner.
Thank you,
Kelly
Michigan
Intestinal worms are ubiquitous in puppies. This is because of a characteristic in the roundworm life cycle that allows them to pass through the placenta and through mother’s milk. Most puppies are born with worms.
Puppies with worms may have diarrhea or distended abdomens, but many worm-infested canines show no symptoms whatsoever.
The most common intestinal worm in puppies can spread to humans. Children are especially at risk, and the worms can cause serious illness in young people.
Therefore, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends deworming puppies every 14 days, beginning at two weeks of age and continuing until at least eight weeks of age.
If your puppy has not yet been dewormed (or if you’re not sure), then you should talk to your vet to devise an appropriate deworming schedule. I would recommend an absolute minimum of two doses of dewormer, but more may be appropriate.
Stool tests for parasite eggs often yield false negative results, especially in puppies. In other words, dogs and especially puppies with worms may have negative stool tests. Therefore, regardless of stool test results, deworming is recommended. Visual evaluation of the a puppy’s abdomen is not a reliable way to diagnose worms.
Remember that General’s swollen abdomen isn’t necessarily the result of parasites (although I still recommend deworming him). Puppies and kittens often enjoy another cause of abdominal distention: old fashioned gluttony.
Click here for the CAPC’s guidelines on worms in dogs and cats. Link is designed for veterinarians.
Finally, I have to say it–thanks for the visual when describing General’s bowel movements.
Photo credit: Joel Mills.
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01/05/09
 My five-month-old cat has been throwing up and having
diarrhea for the last four days. It is not all of
the time, but it is 85% of the time. He plays
normally, eats normally and acts the same. If you
have any ideas what could be wrong with him please
let me know. Thank you!
Tessa
Kinderhook, Il.
Many things can cause otherwise healthy young cats to vomit or produce diarrhea. Intestinal parasites are high on the list.
Young animals are especially prone to infestation with intestinal worms and microscopic parasites called coccidia. These parasites are common causes of diarrhea in kittens and puppies. Severe infestations may cause vomiting as well. Some intestinal worms are potentially contagious to humans.
Adverse reactions to rapid diet changes also may cause the sort of gastrointestinal upset that you describe. Foreign objects lodged in the intestines, infection with a number of viruses or bacteria, and inflammatory disorders of the intestines are on the list of causes but are less common.
Your cat needs to see a vet. Be sure to take a stool sample so that he or she can test for parasites. After evaluating your pet and looking at his deworming and vaccination history, the veterinarian will be able to offer an educated assessment of the situation.
Photo credit: click here.
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10/08/08
 How do I know if my dog has parasites?
I have a five-year-old Jack
Russell. My dog goes to the vet twice a year and
has blood work done before I put her on
Revolution. Can the blood tests detect
parasites?
Jan
Whitby, Canada
Three classes of parasites are common in dogs and cats. Each class causes unique symptoms.
Skin parasites such as fleas and mites are very common. In some instances, fleas or flea feces may be present on infested pets. In many other cases the parasites are not detectable with the naked eye but may cause hair loss, scabs or red skin. Skin tests are used to detect skin parasites.
Blood parasites such as heartworm are common in many parts of the world. Blood parasites may cause heart problems, anemia, and immune system disorders. Blood tests are required to check for blood parasites.
Intestinal parasites comprise the third class of animal parasites. Intestinal worms and microscopic parasites such as Giardia and coccidia fall into this class. Intestinal parasites may cause diarrhea or vomiting, but many infested pets show no symptoms whatsoever. Microscopic evaluation of the stool is required to check for intestinal parasites.
No test for parasites is 100% accurate. Therefore, if you want to keep your pet free of parasites your best bet is to use a broad spectrum anti-parasite agent on a regular basis. Revolution is one such agent. If your dog receives Revolution each month, it is unlikely that she is infested with parasites. Advantage Multi is another effective broad spectrum anti-parasite agent. Interceptor and Heartgard Plus also prevent most parasite infestations when combined with a flea preventative such as Advantage, Frontline, Comfortis or Vectra 3D.
Some animal parasites can spread to people. Intestinal roundworms are the most dangerous. Broad spectrum anti-parasite medicines do not only help to keep your pet healthy. They also help protect the people in the house.
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08/28/08
 I have 5 kittens. They are 2 months old. I believe they have
worms. I have been told they are too young to give
anything. What can I give them that won’t hurt
them?
Cyndi
Dover, Arkansas
Due to a unique feature of intestinal worm life cycles, puppies and kittens almost always are infested with worms.
Intestinal worms (called roundworms) frequently reside as dormant larvae in adult cats and dogs. These larvae become active when a female becomes pregnant. The larvae migrate from the adult to the juveniles, either through the uterus and placenta (in dogs), or through mother’s milk (in both dogs and cats).
Therefore, it is safe to assume that virtually all puppies and kittens are infested with worms by the time they are a few weeks old. What’s more, some types of intestinal worms can spread from pets to people. The worms can cause serious illness in human beings.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), a group of animal parasite experts, recommends de-worming puppies and kittens every two weeks, beginning at two weeks of age for puppies and three weeks of age for kittens. Click here for the CAPC’s complete guidelines for roundworm removal in kittens and puppies (warning: the site contains technical language).
Eight-week-old kittens definitely are not too young to be de-wormed. Also, they need vaccines to prevent deadly diseases such as feline panleukopenia virus. I recommend that you take the litter to the vet as soon as possible for shots and de-worming.
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07/18/08
 Hello! I am a new mom of a bouncing Boston Terrier.
I had one a few years ago, but lost custody
during my divorce.
New hubby and I are trucking, sometimes long distance. What
suggestions do you have for keeping the pup
happy? I am not finding any results
or support online, but I see truckers with
“puppers”, big and small, every day! Help us!
Many thanks in advance!
Lee
Barberton, Ohio
I have known several dogs (and even a few cats) that have served as companions for long-haul truckers. All of these pets seemed very content with their lives. Most dogs I know love adventure, and they adjust very well to life on the road.
There are, of course, some basic precautions that you will need to take. Your dog should receive vaccines that are appropriate for the areas he’ll be visiting, and you should ensure that he is protected against fleas, heartworm and intestinal parasites.
As well, make yourself familiar with the dog laws in the municipalities through which you’ll be traveling. Different areas have different requirements for rabies vaccination. Some areas may require veterinary health certificates for dogs traveling through. Make sure that you have a current dog license in your home town.
In my experience, the authorities generally are quite relaxed about dogs and cats traveling by car or truck (airport screeners can be a different story). However, it is always wise to have all of your paperwork in order. Your veterinarian should be able to help you with rabies certificates, health certificates and other bureaucratic miscellany.
Finally, be sure to carry plenty of food and water for your pup. Take regular breaks for exercise and bathroom activities. And don’t forget to carry a leash–you don’t want your dog to run onto a busy freeway!
If your dog is like the ones I have known, he’ll happily and easily adjust to life on the road.
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06/21/08
Hi,
We have a new Boston Terrier pup (9 weeks) who
tested positive for coccidia but has no symptoms
yet. Our vet has prescribed a 7 day course of
Albon. However, some other people have told me
that she needs a 28 day treatment regimen. Do you
think that this is necessary or should I just do
the 7 day treatment and follow up with the vet
next month (we see her for vaccines then)?
Also- could my cat catch this from my puppy?
Thanks!
Beth
Stoneham, MA
Coccidia are microscopic parasites that are incredibly common in puppies and kittens. Some animals can tolerate Coccidia infestations without showing any symptoms. Others develop diarrhea. In severely afflicted young pets, profuse diarrhea can lead to dehydration, failure to grow and severe illness.
Sadly, there is no perfect treatment for Coccidia. Albon is used to arrest the reproduction of the organisms within the intestinal tract. However, in the long run it is up to the pet’s immune system to tackle and eliminate the parasites.
Because every pet’s immune system is unique, some pets need to take Albon longer than others. I have known some puppies and kittens who had to take it for a month or more before they were cured. I have known others who cleared the parasite on their own, without any medication whatsoever.
Since your puppy isn’t showing symptoms, I think it is reasonable to start with a less aggressive treatment plan. It sounds like her immune system is already fighting the Coccidia. I’d recommend that you complete the seven day course of Albon. Have her stool tested after the medicine runs out. If parasites are still present, your vet can prescribe more medicine.
If your cat is an adult, it is extremely unlikely that the parasites will spread to her. Adult animals with fully-developed immune systems almost never contract Coccidia.
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Is there a way to visualy tell the difference
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