worms

Protection from the Inside Out

How to prevent internal parasites from worming their way into your pets health.

1. Consult Your Veterinarian. Ask your vet which parasites are a problem in your area. There are parts of the country where certain internal parasites are less of a concern and others where monthly prevention is imperative. Your vet will be able to tell you what to watch for according to your geographic location and prescribe the most appropriate preventive products.

2. Be Aware Of The Culprits. The most common pet parasites include heartworms, intestinal worms and Giardia. You should speak with your vet to learn more about the different ways these parasites can be transmitted to your pet. If your dog does become infected, your vet will also talk to you about the appropriate medications needed to correct the problem.

3. Watch For Symptoms. Each parasite causes slightly different symptoms in pets. According to Dr. Kimberly Barron of Northshore Vet Hospital in Bellingham, Washington the most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite or blood in your pets stools. Signs of heartworm may include coughing and difficulty breathing. If you observe any of these symptoms in your pet, consult with your vet immediately to determine the cause.

4. Give Your Pet Preventive Medications. The good news is that there are a number of simple to administer medications that can protect your pet from internal parasites. Giving these preventives just once a month can keep your pet parasite free year round. The key is consistency, even if you’re on vacation. So just pick a date once a month to give one of these tablets to your pet, mark it down on your calendar and you’re done.

5. Keep Your Yard Feces Free. According to Dr Bonnie Beaver a professor in the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at TX A & M University, good sanitation is one of the best ways to prevent any problems with parasites. That means that all dog feces are picked up from your backyard within 24 hours. This prevents parasites that are shed in dog feces from seeding down into your grass or soil thus causing a re-infestation.

6. Provide A Clean Space For Your Pet. If your pet spends a great deal of time outside, make sure he has a clean dry place to sit or lie down on. You want to get your dog up off dirt or mud and away from any feces. For dogs that spend a lot of time outside a raised dog bed can help cut down on the chances of a parasite re-infestation and give your pet a more sanitary environment to enjoy.

7. Have Your Vet Do A Yearly Fecal Check. Every year when you visit your vet for your pets annual exam bring a fresh sample of her stool. Your vet can use this sample to test for parasites. Young pets are particularly vulnerable to intestinal parasites. If you’ve just gotten a new puppy make sure you bring a stool sample along to his first vet exam. This will help get your pet off to a healthy start. If your pet was obtained from a breeder the breeder should also give you a record of when the puppy was wormed and what kind of medication was used. This is critical information that should be passed on to your vet.

8. Let Your Vet Make The Diagnosis. Just because your pet has diarrhea or is vomiting doesn’t necessarily mean there is a parasite problem. Dr Beaver warns pet owners against trying to diagnose a parasite problem on their own by administering a generic wormer. The worming medicine you choose may not be effective for the problem your pet has.

9. Don’t Let Your Dog Eat Feces. Since most parasitic worms are shed into an animals feces this is a prime way to pick up parasites. It’s important to prevent your pet from eating feces by either disposing of them immediately or taking your dog out on a lead when your are in an area where fecal matter may be accessible.

10. Don’t Let Your Pet Drink Standing Water. Standing water is a prime breeding ground for a parasite called Giardia. This pesky parasite can cause acute diarrhea and fluid loss. Young puppies are especially susceptible. Never let your pet drink form standing water or puddles. It’s important to provide a clean fresh source of water for your pet to help prevent this problem

Protecting your pet from internal parasites is an important part of keeping him healthy and happy for life. All it takes is a little commitment on your part to stop these tiny pests from bugging your furry friend.

****************************************************
Dog Food Recepies

Anti-Flea Dog Food Additive
A useful addition to a dog food recipes book – this is a simple additive to your dog’s food to keep the fleas away.

• 1/4 Cup Cottage Cheese
• Vitamin E 1001 U
• 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tbsp Bacon Grease

Mix all the ingredients and add to food daily.

* * * * *
Cheese Yummies
• 1 3/4 cups grated Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 lb. (1 stick) corn oil margarine
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Grate cheese and let it become room
temperature. Cream cheese with margarine and flour. form into 2 logs, about 2" in diameter. Chill in refrigerator. Cut into 1/4" slices and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375F until slightly brown and firm, about 15 minutes. Makes 3 dozen

* * * * *
Liver Biscuits
• 1 lb. Beef liver
• 1 cup Corn meal
• 1 1/2 cups Wheat flour - or any kind
• 1 tsp. Garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350F. Puree liver in food processor or blender, pour into bowl, mixing in dry ingredients, adding flour a bit at a time until you have a stiff mixture. Pat and spread out on a greased cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Bake 20 minutes or until dry. Cool and cut into squares. Refrigerate or freeze.

BACK TO INDEX