| Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms | | | | every now and then to check for tapeworms. |
| take home first prize for Most Disgusting. | | | | While they are harmless to your dog, |
| Nobody wants to imagine little worms crawling | | | | tapeworms are hazardous to humans. If your |
| around in their dog's digestive system, but | | | | dog has them, they should be treated |
| it's a fairly common ailment that's easily | | | | promptly.Heartworms can KILL your dog! |
| passed from dog to dog. So if he does happen | | | | They're transmitted through mosquitoes and |
| to contract them, tell your furry fella not | | | | are lethal if left untreated. These parasites |
| to feel ashamed of his worms! They're easily | | | | make their way to your dog's heart, where the |
| prevented and controlled with medication that | | | | live and grow until heart functions are |
| your vet routinely prescribes to hundreds of | | | | totally blocked, leading to heart failure and |
| pooches just like him.Roundworms are the most | | | | death. Symptoms of heartworms in your dog are |
| common type of worm, especially in | | | | coughing, labored breathing, weight loss and |
| unvaccinated puppies who may just be getting | | | | fainting. If you suspect heartworm, prevent |
| into that exploratory stage, which of course | | | | your dog from exercising and get him to a vet |
| involves exploring other dogs' feces. | | | | immediately. Your dog's doctor will determine |
| Regardless of your dog's age, you'll know | | | | what stage the disease has progressed to, and |
| he's contracted roundworms if his stools look | | | | recommend treatment accordingly. If caught |
| like spaghetti. Other signs include vomiting | | | | early, your dog may only require medicine |
| and diarrhea. If your dog displays any of | | | | injections and aspirin. If the disease is in |
| these symptoms, bring him in to the vet's | | | | advanced stages, he may require treatment for |
| office for a worm diagnosis and treatment. In | | | | heart failure. It's wise to protect your dog |
| the future, roundworms can be avoided with a | | | | against heartworm with a routine vaccination, |
| worm preventative that your vet will | | | | and as an added precaution, guard him against |
| recommend.Hookworms find their way to your | | | | mosquitoes with an insect repellent |
| dog's digestive tract through the pads of his | | | | recommended by your vet.Check your dog |
| feet and the skin of his belly. He can easily | | | | regularly for any weird symptoms that could |
| pick them up by way of infected soil. Once | | | | indicate a case of worms. Be sure to bring |
| infected with hookworms, your dog will pass | | | | him in for vet checkups on a regular basis. |
| dark or bloody stools, an indication that the | | | | Find out what precautionary steps you can |
| hookworms are sucking blood from his | | | | take to prevent worms and other parasites. In |
| intestinal tract. If left untreated, | | | | this way, you'll ensure him a happy and |
| hookworms cause anemia in your poor pooch, so | | | | worm-free existence!Copyright 2005 Dina |
| bring him into the vet ASAP for a deworming | | | | Giolitto. All rights reserved.Liked this |
| and preventative against future hookworm | | | | article? Have more of the same emailed to |
| episodes.Tapeworms are passed through | | | | your inbox each month. Sign up for the |
| fecalmatter and flea larvae, and easily | | | | Copywriting and Marketing Ezine from Dina at |
| spread from dogs to humans through direct | | | | and learn to write search engine friendly web |
| contact. They're easily visible in your dog's | | | | copy and market your web based business for |
| waste, so while it may seem a vile practice, | | | | free. |
| take an extra long look at your dog's poop | | | | |