The parasites

This information is posted for the education of parasites in pups, and we are
happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. If you suspect your pet
has parasites, don’t contact me! Take it immediately to your vet for proper
diagnosis and treatment.

The most common internal parasites for puppies are roundworms, hookworms,
coccidia, and tapeworms.

Roundworms.. look like spaghetti and can cause a puppy to have a
“pot belly.” Most puppies have roundworms at some point. Roundworm
eggs can be passed from mothers to babies through nursing. The life cycle of
roundworms is two weeks. Roundworm eggs are larger than other parasite eggs, and
are quite distinctive. Because of this, they are easy to detect in a
“flotation” fecal check.

Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms, and are not usually seen, but they’re more dangerous than roundworms. The hookworm attaches to the intestinal lining and can cause internal bleeding as it moves from place to place. They can also migrate into the lungs. A puppy infested with hookworms will appear thin, and have a dry, unhealthy looking coat. Puppies can be born with hookworms, and can die within 10 days if they and their mother are not properly treated. Most all breeders treat Puppies early for Hookworms.

Coccidia eggs seen througha microscope.

Coccidia is not a worm. It is a microscopic internal parasite (protozoan) common in warm, humid climates. Most southern breeders have a problem with it because of the heat, humidity, and mild winters - nothing dies. Coccidia can be stress-related. A puppy may have a negative fecal check result from a vet, appear perfectly fine, but show evidence of coccidia as soon as he goes to a new home. Albon, the prescription medication for coccidia, doesn’t actually kill it. It washes the puppy’s digestive tract, taking the coccidia with it. From what I’ve read, it’s the puppy’s own immune system that eventually will kill any remaining coccidia. A young puppy’s immune system is not fully developed, so it takes time for the puppy and it’s immune system to mature. My vet says most adult dogs have coccidia, but they also have the antibodies to fight and control it. A puppy with coccidia that is not well cared for and not treated with Albon will eventually develop watery diarrhea and can dehydrate. This is when coccidia can become a serious condition – the coccidia replicates unchecked, and the puppy can become very ill. A well educated breeder can detect if a puppy has coccidia.

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Puppies get tapeworms from fleas. A young flea will eat tape
worm eggs, and puppies get tape worms if they swallow a flea. The tapeworm is
segmented and flat, so what you will see are small, flat, cream colored pieces
less than a half inch long. The most common place to see them is around a dog or
cat’s behind. These moving pieces contain tapeworm eggs. When they’re dry, they
look similar to uncooked rice. Tapeworms can cause a loose stool.

Puppies can also get giardia. This parasite is less common, and
more difficult to diagnose. It would probably not be detected by a vet using the
normal “flotation” method of fecal screening. It causes periodic
diarrhea and loss of appetite; a puppy with severe giardia is likely to be thin.
There is a vaccine for giardia, manufactured by Fort Dodge, but its
effectiveness is questionable. If your puppy has been diagnosed with Giardia contact your breeder immediately.

The prescription medications (from your vet)

• Round worms: Strongid T (pyrantel pamoate) – yellow liquid given once, and
  then 2 weeks later. In a stubborn case, treat 3-5 days in a row, and then
  repeat the same in 2 weeks. If you have a litter of puppies, the first
  worming should be at 2 weeks of age, repeated every two weeks until 8 weeks
  of age. The mother should be treated at the same time.or Panacur (10% Fenbendazole) – white liquid that tastes
  terrible. Dose 1cc per 5 pounds for 3 consecutive days, and repeat process
  in 2 weeks. The benefit of Panacur is that it usually works in a situation
  where Strongid T has been ineffectual. It also comes in granular form, to be
  mixed with food.
• Hook worms: Strongid T (pyrantel pamoate) – yellow liquid given once, and
  then 3 weeks later. In a severe case, treat 3 days in a row, and then repeat
  in 3 weeks. Drontel is another medication prescribed for hookworms. It comes
  in pill form, and is also used to treat tapeworms.or Panacur (10% Fenbendazole) – same directions as above,
  except repeat treatment in 3 weeks, rather than 2 weeks.
• Tape worms: Droncit, Drontel, or Centex – serated tablet given once,
  repeat if tapeworms reappear.
• Coccidia: Albon – darker yellow liquid given for 10-21 days. Double dose
  the first day of treatment. Also comes in pill form.
• Giardia: Metronidazole – most common in pill form but can be gotten in
  liquid form by special order. Give once daily by weight for 10 days, twice
  daily (divided dose) in severe cases.

Even a healthy appearing puppy can have some form of parasite. When you get a
new puppy from a breeder, it’s always a good idea to have a fecal exam done by your vet, even
if the puppy just had one by the breeder’s vet. The breeder would have sold you
the puppy in good faith, but as I mentioned, going to a new home can be
stressful. That’s when parasites are more evident, and easier for a vet to
detect.

Don’t forget about heart worm preventative for your new puppy! This can
only be gotten from a vet, so you should discuss the different options with him
or her.