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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10/23/08
 My friend has eight-week-old puppies and all of a sudden
they start losing weight after a wormer is given and
now they are starting to have seizures.
What could be wrong? They look so bad now but they used to look
so healthy. When they come to eat they eat like
they haven’t eaten in days and days.
One has a bloated stomach and is so miserable. Please help
with any advice.
Thanks,
Gina
Lexington, KY
This sounds very troubling. Based on your description, several things could be going on.
First, the puppies might be suffering from adverse reactions to the dewormer. This is rare in general, but there is one exception. Collies are extremely sensitive to an antiparasite medicine called ivermectin. If the puppies are Collies, and if they received ivermectin, they may become quite ill and develop neurological signs including seizures.
Another possibility is that the dewormer that was used was not effective (some over-the-counter deworming medicines are not potent). In this case, heavy worm infestations may be causing weight loss, bloated abdomens and extreme hunger. Unfortunately, the seizures are hard to explain in this scenario.
Next, there is a chance that the puppies are infected with a disease such as distemper virus or corona virus. This occurs in puppies that have not been properly vaccinated.
Finally, the puppies may be suffering from congenital irregularities or hereditary problems such as liver shunts. These types of problems can cause all of the symptoms you describe.
I am afraid that I cannot recommend any home remedies or treatments in this situation. The puppies need to see a vet. A physical exam and tests (stool tests and blood tests) are in order for each puppy.
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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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05/20/08
Dear Dr Barchas-
Thank you for being here. I have
recently adopted a litttle black cat. He was born
in a barn. He has serious abrasions and infection
in front of both ears. I have been treating him
with Neosporin and a little peroxide. I can not
afford to take him to the vet at this time. Do you
have any idea of what this irritation might be or
how better to treat him here at home? He is an
indoor cat – has been since he was about six weeks
old.
Thank you,
Diana
Charleston, WV
Based on your description of the problem and your kitten’s background, your kitten most likely is suffering from ear mites. Ear mites are parasites that cause itching, scabbing, and wax around the ears. They are common in kittens–especially kittens that come from less-than-perfect backgrounds.
Before I go further, I should say that if you can possibly manage it your kitten will definitely benefit from a veterinary checkup. The vet will be able to assess the ears, as well as perform a general health evaluation. Kittens that are born in barns frequently are infested with intestinal worms that may be contagious to human beings. And kittens needs shots to prevent deadly diseases such as feline panleukopenia virus (also known as feline distemper). So, plan A is to see a vet. No doubt about it. The vet can prescribe a medicine such as Revolution or Advantage Multi that will eliminate ear mites as well as intestinal worms. And she or he can vaccinate your kitten.
If going to a vet is absolutely out of the question there are other, albeit inferior, options.
Some pet stores sell over-the-counter ear mite medicines. These medicines are not as safe or effective as the ones that vets can prescribe, but they might help with the ear problem. Most of these medicines need to be applied daily for at least a month.
As well, over-the-counter dewormers are offered at some pet stores. Like the ear mite medicines, they often are not as safe or effective as the ones that your vet can provide. They also are not as effective at preventing spread of the parasites to humans.
And then there is the issue of shots. In many states, you can buy vaccines at pet or feed stores and administer them yourself. Kittens should receive at least two (preferably three) vaccines against panleukopenia at three or four week intervals.
If you work hard and are resourceful, you may be able to tackle your kitten’s problems on your own. But in the long run, it may be less expensive (and certainly more convenient) to go to the vet. And there is no doubt whatsoever that a veterinary checkup would be in your kitten’s best interest. If it is at all possible, then please do it.
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Is there a way to visualy tell the difference
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