Tag Archives: intestinal parasites

Intestinal Parasites: Giardia

While I was reading up on worms, I came across some other types of intestinal parasite. Giardia are single-celled organisms that can cause illness in pets and people. Symptoms of Giardia infection include: Weight loss — large populations of Giardia can interfere with food absorption Listlessness Diarrhea or stool that is soft, light colored, and greasy Mild anemia If your pet has had contact with dirty or potentially contaminated water or with animals with similar symptoms, you may want to have your veterinarian check for Giardia. These protozoans mature in stages. The inactive form — known as cysts — is … Continue reading →

Prevening Worms in Pets

Worms can be dangerous to pets and to people. Here are some things you can do to protect your pets and your family. Remove feces from the litter box and/or the yard regularly. Dog poop should be cleaned out of the yard at least once every week. Follow instructions on your cat litter for litter box cleaning, but it’s best not to let feces sit for too long. (At the cats only boarding facility, we change the litter box twice every day for each cat, but we’re pretty fanatical about cleaning!) Keep a close eye on your child’s sandbox — … Continue reading →

Intestinal Parasites: Worms

I’ve got the creeps just thinking about it — all the different types of worms that can infest a dog or cat’s intestines. Yuck! But keeping your pet safe from worms is a real part of pet ownership. When you bring your pet in for an annual exam, you usually have to bring a stool sample. Two types of worms — roundworms and tapeworms — can be seen in feces with the naked eye. Other worms are too small to be seen without a microscope. So don’t forget to bring that sample along! If your pet has worms, the eggs … Continue reading →