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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Worms and Parasites.




In rescue we see many things, one of the most common is parasites and worms. When we pull a dog from a shelter most of the time they are strays and/or not cared for very well.

Worms come in all sizes and shapes.

When dogs are strays they come in contact with all sorts of hazards. The most common being a worm or parasite. When a lost or stray dog gets thirsty they look for water anywhere, in puddles, lakes, ponds, dirty water holes. When they are hungry they will find anything they can to eat, sometimes small animals such as mice, rabbits, maybe a baby bird.

Many of these wild animals have fleas which of course can jump to the dog. Not only are the fleas an itchy annoyance, but they can also cause a dog to get Tapeworm.

Tapeworms like to make themselves at home in the dogs intestines. While in the intestine the Tapeworm grows and absorbs the nutrients meant for the dog. Tapeworms can grow to be larger then most worms dogs come in contact with. They look like a long thin limp noodle.

Hookworms are another worm that dogs can pick up while searching for food and drinking contaminated water. Once again these can be treated -- more then one cycle of treatment is required. These worms are generally very small and are hard to see with the naked eye. However like with Tapeworm and other worms, you may see dead ones in your dogs fecal when they are dying off from the medication.

Whipworms occur in a dog when they ingest the eggs or larva from an adult worm. They take a bit less then 3 months to hatch and become adult worms that then live once again in the dogs intestines. These are also small, usually smaller or as small as hooks. They have what looks like a thread at the end of their bodies.

Roundworms are probably the most common and easily recognizable. The best way to describe them is like a white worm. A single dog can carry many roundworms and in their fecal deposit thousands of eggs just waiting for another host. Roundworms are visible to the naked eye.

IT IS IMPORTANT IT YOUR DOG HAS WORMS TO PICK UP THEIR FECAL AS SOON AS THEY GO. This can help prevent reinfection as well has minimize the exposure to any other dogs you may have. Also, do not let your other dogs groom or clean your dog while they have worms.

As aggravating as these worms are with hand washing and a clean yard transmission to a human is extremely low.

All these worms are treatable, if your dog comes in contact with them after a run in the field, walk in the woods, trip to a dog park, or anywhere else they may go.

A simple fecal can check for all these worms and more. To treat worms is fairly easy. Your dogs doctor can give you a liquid or power medication. All the medication must be given and a 2nd round is usually required. Always give as directed, this is a toxin or poison, to much can be harmful to your dog, but in the right dosage will kill off the worms without harming your dog.

While your dog is on the medication you may notice some diareah. Some canned pumpkin can help firm up their stools, don't be alarmed if their stool becomes the color of the canned pumpkin. Also you may notice some dead worms in their stool Don't be alarmed, this is completely normal.

In sever cases as some of us have seen, myself included, when a dog has an advanced case and have a heavy infestation they may vomit some dead worms. Simply clean them up and immediately use a cleaner to clean the are. Your dog will be OK, it is just another way to rid themselves of the worms. Luckily this is the exception, not the rule.

Have a safe and happy Spring! We hope you and your pets enjoy the outdoors.

Great Lakes Weim Rescue


http://www.canismajor.com/dog/worms.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=769 (Tapes)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=778 (Whips)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=747 (Hooks)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=762 (Rounds)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Ticks




Not only are ticks hard time find, they tend to blend in very well, they like to bring a few diseases with them.


We have all heard that humans can get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Lyme Disease and Ehrlichia. Dogs can too! Dogs with these conditions can be treated and go on to live a normal healthy lactive lives.


Your blogger has a dog she pulled from a shelter that had RMSF (and Heartworm). On her trip to the vet I asked for a Tick Titer, which is a simple blood draw. The blood is sent to the lab to check for exposure.


If your dog comes back positive for exposure treatment should be started immediately! At that time antibiotics should be given. My girl didn't have any symptoms and still showed positive for exposure.
Many wellness exams do not include a Titer for Tick Born Illness. This is something you would have to request.

Dogs can pick up Ticks just about anywhere, even in your own backyard.

If your dog is active and goes on hikes with the family, dogs parks, hunting, walking through the woods they can pick up a tick, just as easily as we can.


Flea and Tick Prevention is available for your pet. Most veterinary offices carry at least one brand you can purchase.


And who wants to pick off those creepy bugs?!
Great Lakes Weim Rescue













Oh no! Flea Season




Dog ownership isn't always pretty! It is that time of year the fleas and ticks are out. YUCK!

Everyone knows what they are. Once a dog gets them they are no fun for everyone involved. Did you know our canine friends can get tapeworms from fleas? So not only does your poor pooch have these nasty itchy little bugs on him/her, but they may be in danger of getting Tapeworm! (We'll get to the Tapeworm in our Worm post. Yes, we cover all the fun topics here.)

Also, once fleas get in your house, well, lets just say, they are the like the house guest that over stays their welcome. And if you have multiple dogs, that is all the more fun for the fleas.

Your blogger doesn't recommend a flea collar.


-If you have a dog that gets bored when you are not home, they may find a way to get the collar off and decide to make in to a chew toy!

-Young children may pet the dog and cuddle with them. Now they have been exposed to the toxin on the flea collar.

-Their is debate about their effectiveness.

The best way to prevent your dog from bringing fleas in to your house is to give your dog flea prevention. Your local vet can help you decide what option is right for you dog.

Their are holistic as well as traditional ways to keep you fur-kid flea free.

Here is to a flea free season!

Great Lakes Weim Rescue












Sunday, April 19, 2009

Heartbreak




OK, so the heart isn't really broken, but Heartworm is a very serious and deadly condition.




GLWR has seen their fair share of Heartworm positive dogs.




Our recent addition, Violet, is positive and will be under going treatment.




Her former owner did not give her preventative and due to this reason she will now undergo the painful procedure to rid her of the worms.




All is takes is one pesky mosquito to spred Heartworm. Every state in the lower 48 states has reported cases of Heartworm every year. So if your dog is from another state they could have still been exposed.




A yearly blood test can help rule out the disease as well as prevention. Your local Vet office should carry at least one brand you can purchase. Make sure your dogs weight is recorded accurately so the proper dosage is given.




A dog that was once Heartworm positive, they like any other dog, must stay on prevention for the rest of their lives. They are just as susceptible as getting it again as any other dog. They do not build up an immunity nor is it a condition once they get it they will never get it again.




As serious as the disease is, those that are treated, can go on to live long, happy, and health lives.
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